Although for some people, it may be hard to imagine there ever was a world without Pokémon, the popular franchise just turned 30. Ever since its launch, the Japanese company has been expanding in order to attract new fans – including Pokémon Go in 2016 and Pokémon Sleep in 2023.

In a new move to keep on reinventing itself and to keep fans dreaming – literally – while celebrating two anniversaries, the franchise recently joined forces with hotelier Not A Hotel to design a human-sized, Poké Ball-shaped hotel. 

“As society becomes increasingly convenient and efficient, Not A Hotel aims to bring more joy to individuals’ lives. For years, Pokémon fans have dreamed of stepping inside a Poké Ball. Not A Hotel, leveraging its architectural and technological expertise, has turned that dream into a reality. This structure transcends the boundaries of architecture and product design, fusing the world of Pokémon with the architectural quality that defines Not A Hotel,” said Not A Hotel in an interview with architecture magazine Dezeen.

Not A Hotel, a Japanese hospitality firm launched in 2020, creates one-of-a-kind vacation homes around the globe. Unique design and unique locations come together through their in-house team of Not A Hotel Architects and collaborations with designers such as NIGO and Snøhetta.

The remarkable Poké Ball structure fits perfectly within that philosophy. It is set on a lakeshore in Tomakomai City, located on the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, Hokkaido. The sphere measures just 3 metres in diameter and is made of moulded acrylic hemispheres, with a sliding door offering some privacy from the outdoor world.

Visualizza questo post su Instagram

Un post condiviso da gooood谷德设计网 (@goooodofficial)

Inside, the circular theme continues. A round mattress sits in the middle of the Poké Ball while a curved acrylic window boosts lake views, while creating the illusion of a partly-opened ball. The tiny building also offers a washroom, which us decorated using tiles the colour of the very sleepy Pokémon character Snorlax.

Guests will also have the possibility to customise their stay and particularly the lighting by choosing their favourite Pokémon character on an iPad. However, in order to tie in with the sleep game app Pokémon Go, the experience also focuses on turning the room into a calming sleeping environment.

Although many Pokémon fans will undoubtedly be disappointed, the Poké Ball hotel will not open to the general public and can’t be visited. However, until 30 September 2026, Pokémon Sleep is running a social media competition on X which allows Japanese residents who have downloaded the Pokémon Sleep app to participate. Afterwards, ten couples will be selected and win a one-night stay in the Pokémon Ball room between 8 and 18 October, including meals. Transportation to and from the nearby New Chitose Airport as well as other personal costs are, however, not covered by the franchise. 

L’article Pokémon and Not A Hotel to open Poké Ball-shaped hotel in Japan est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The US autonomous driving company will partner with Japanese taxi operators GO and Nihon Kotsu to introduce the service, initially deploying a small fleet before gradually expanding to around 100 autonomous vehicles. The launch remains subject to regulatory approvals and further safety validation.

The planned service would be Japan’s first fully driverless taxi operation on public roads. Passengers will be able to book rides through both the GO and Waymo apps.

Under the partnership, Nihon Kotsu will be responsible for fleet operations, while GO will support integration with Japan’s taxi industry. Waymo will provide its autonomous driving system and continue safety testing ahead of the planned commercial rollout.

Waymo has been testing its technology in Tokyo since 2025, initially operating vehicles with Nihon Kotsu drivers behind the wheel. The trials have allowed the company to collect mapping data and adapt its autonomous driving system to the Japanese capital’s road conditions, including narrow streets, dense traffic and left-hand driving.

The company said the robotaxis would “complement Tokyo’s world-renowned transportation network, while helping Japan support an aging population and address future labor shortages.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Waymo (@waymo)

Japan’s ageing population and shortage of professional drivers have increased interest in autonomous transport technology. However, regulatory hurdles remain. Current rules require a human driver to be present in vehicles operating on public roads, meaning Waymo will need to secure the necessary permits and licences before beginning fully autonomous commercial operations.

The Tokyo launch forms part of Waymo’s wider international expansion after rapidly growing its robotaxi operations in the United States. The company is also preparing autonomous services in European markets, including a planned launch in Munich in late 2027.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Waymo (@waymo)

Competition in Japan’s autonomous driving market is intensifying. US self-driving technology company Nuro has begun testing vehicles in Tokyo after partnering with Uber and Lucid. Nissan is also preparing a commercial robotaxi project in Tokyo for 2027, backed by British AI startup Wayve and Uber, although initial public trials will continue to use trained safety drivers.

If the necessary approvals are secured, the 2027 rollout will take Waymo into one of the world’s largest and most complex urban transport markets, extending its robotaxi ambitions beyond North America and into Asia for the first time.

L’article Waymo to launch Tokyo robotaxi service in 2027 as Asia expansion begins est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Shinjuku, one of 23 wards in the Japanese capital, is known for its bustling atmosphere, and thriving night-time economy. It boasts the world’s busiest railway station, as well as around 10% of Japan’s total private rental accommodation, but is developing a new reputation among its residents – for antisocial behaviour by tourists.

Visitors to the area are accused of littering, noise pollution, smoking, and even trespassing in a massive 1,300 complaints from residents in just the 12 months to March 2026, leading the local official with responsibility for holiday lets to tell AFP that the district was “planning to revise the current ordinance… to ban private lodging” near educational establishments and residences.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от Soni's tokyo life (@soni_tokyo)

The official drew a direct correlation between private short-term rentals and dissatisfaction among long-term inhabitants, saying: “As the number of private lodging businesses has risen, complaints and troubles around them have increased.”

In response to the surge in residents’ grievances, the new proposal to ban short-term rentals could affect up to 50% of the 3,775 private lodgings, or minpaku, registered in district by the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA).

Remaining short-term lets in residential areas will face calendar restrictions meaning they can only be rented out for 120 days per year, reducing the availability by a third in comparison to the current 180 nights allowed.

Посмотреть эту публикацию в Instagram

Публикация от 김병찬 / Byungchan Kim (@chaniegraphy)

The aim of the measure, which is likely to be approved by the mayor by February following a period of public consultation, is to promote a “tranquil living and educational environment” and limit behaviours that “hinder the maintenance of a permanent population and local community,” as per guidelines issued by the Japanese Tourist Agency in July 2026 that permit municipalities to regulate their own short-term rental market.

Despite the backlash, short-term rental giant Airbnb responded hopefully, telling the Guardian it takes local concerns seriously but believes “there is a version of this ordinance that protects residents’ quality of life without closing responsible, licensed hosts, and we want to help find it.”

Platforms such as Airbnb have made it easier for would-be landlords to rent out properties and have faced increasing criticism for their disruption of residential marketplaces around the world. Popular tourist destinations, notably in Spain have raised legal challenges and forced Airbnb to remove tens of thousands of non-compliant properties from its listings. Barcelona is heading for an outright ban on tourist flat rentals by 2029, while New York is insisting owners remain living in their property if they want to rent out a room for less than 30 days. 

Shinjuku’s approach comes amid wider overtourism concerns, including around Mount Fuji and in Kyoto, as Japan targets 60 million tourists by 2030 as part of an economic strategy to boost exports.

L’article Popular Tokyo district considers short-term rental restrictions amid resident complaints est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Contrary to most other wellness hotels, Pasona Natureverse Retreat isn’t primarily aimed at people wanting to wind down for the time of a weekend. Instead, it mainly concentrates on long-term stays centring around the Mibyo philosophy, which translates into the idea of a preventive wellness treatment. However, guests can also check in for a shorter stay, with a minimum of three nights per booking.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE PASONA natureverse retreat (@thepasona_official)

“The Pasona embraces a philosophy of holistic wellbeing, from wellness treatments and nourishing menus to cultural and soul-stirring experiences. Immerse yourself in thalassotherapy, yoga, and meditation. Enjoy movement classes and feel muscle tension melt away. Or simply enjoy exploring this beautiful coastal region, followed by a long soak in your private onsen,” the hotel explains.

Natural design

The building was designed by architect Shigeru Ban, winner of the 2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize and the 2026 AIA Gold Medal, who has become world-famous for his projects using natural materials and cardboard. Previously, Ban drew the plans for Pasona Group’s Farmer’s Restaurant and Zenbo Seinei meditation retreat on Awaji. The Pasona Natureverse Retreat is thus his third creation in the area.

“Architect Shigeru Ban is the mastermind behind the hotel design, which uses natural and recycled materials to lessen The PASONA’s environmental footprint. That’s not the only way in which The PASONA is in perfect harmony with its surroundings, though. Natural light flows throughout interiors that blend European and Japanese style and let the beauty of organic materials shine. The scene is set for a retreat that will leave you feeling grounded in mind, body and spirit,” states Pasona Natureverse Retreat.

The Pasona Natureverse Retreat spreads out over five storeys and features 57 rooms. Thanks to the D-shaped design, all rooms are set along a skylit atrium.

However, not all rooms feature the same views. On the inland side of the building, characterised by vertical wooden cladding, rooms look out over the forest. The other half of the rooms look out over the sea instead, while the façade privileges horizontal lines and generous balconies.

“On the seaside, using the seawall as a podium, the facade is highly transparent, featuring four levels of emphasised horizontal slabs that create a seamless continuity between the interior, exterior, and the surrounding scenery. In contrast to the horizontal emphasis of the seaside, the mountain-side facade features a rhythmic arrangement of timber-clad columns that emphasise a symbolic, somewhat classical vertical structure. At the centre, a massive timber canopy and a grand staircase welcome visitors”, Shigeru Ban explains.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by THE PASONA natureverse retreat (@thepasona_official)

Aside from a personalised wellness programme and private onsen or natural hot spring baths, the hotel features a dedicated aerial yoga room as well as an indoor saltwater swimming pool. On the culinary side, the Retreat offers five restaurants and multiple cafes.

The Pasona Natureverse Retreat can be booked online, with prices starting from approximately €2,300 per night for a double room.

L’article New Pasona Natureverse Retreat brings wellness to Japan’s Awaji Island est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The architects behind the redesign made a deliberate choice to keep as much of the original prison intact as possible. From the small barred windows and austere lines to the museum on the grounds, it is genuinely hard to forget where you are.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HOSHINOYA｜星のや【公式】 (@hoshinoya.official)

It starts at the entrance, where the old guard posts still stand, overlooking five cellblocks fanning out from the central core like spokes. The long corridors that once held rows of prisoners’ cells are now hotel hallways.

Rooms are, naturally, former cells, but combined: nine, ten or eleven cells joined into a single suite. While knocking down the walls between them may have provided the space needed for a luxury hotel room, it has not entirely erased the building’s original purpose. The rooms remain long and narrow, and the corridors are unmistakably institutional.

Even guests who liked the hotel experienced that psychological dissonance. One described a “sense of tension” that made him “sit up straight” from the moment the heavy entrance gate opened, with traces of the former cells remaining in everything from the concrete walls to the position of the windows and height of the ceilings.

Another guest felt that rather than simply pursuing luxury, the hotel placed value on “the experience of history itself”. The century-old bricks, reportedly made and laid by inmates themselves, remain intact, allowing guests to “feel the weight of history so closely”.

The architects and designers behind the transformation wanted the building to retain its sombre historical character. Japan Times journalist Owen Ziegler described its atmosphere as “sterile” and “morose”, with 4.88-square-metre single cells containing little more than a washbasin and a small window.

In that spirit, there is no pool, fitness centre or meeting rooms and no “Kids’ Club”. The rooms do not have televisions either. One guest described it as a place “for adults to quietly savour the space and its history” and “not really suitable for children”.

One of the five wings has been preserved in its former state and transformed into a museum which is open to the public during the day. It is hard not to draw comparisons between a stay here and the lives of those who slept in the same building before. While hotel staff now make the beds, inmates were given precise instructions on how to fold their futons when not in use. The contrast extends to mealtimes: the museum displays prison meals, while the hotel’s own menu has received great praise online.

Manga artist Kazuichi Hanawa, who was imprisoned in Nara in the 1990s, chronicled his experience in Doing Time, which is now displayed in the museum’s final section devoted to artworks by inmates.

The luxury comes at a price. One guest described it as “by far the most expensive hotel” she had ever stayed in, but also “by far the most memorable”. Suites range in price from $350 for a nine-cell room to $610 for the 11-cell Deluxe, not including breakfast.

A placard in the museum perhaps best sums up the experience: “It may be us, on the outside, who have lost sight of what is truly irreplaceable and important in everyday life.”

L’article Japan’s new luxury prison hotel is open but keeps guests behind bars est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Conceived by Yuko Shimizu in 1974, Hello Kitty is now the face of a growing trend in immersive attractions that blur the line between museums, exhibitions and themed entertainment. At Hotel Floria Tokyo, visitors collect a “room key”, explore elaborately designed hotel suites inspired by Sanrio characters and take photographs throughout the venue without spending the night, rather like a museum tour, but staged as a hotel and built around characters dear to Sanrio fans worldwide.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ホテルフローリア トーキョー (@hotelfloria.tokyo)

The latest Sanrio-themed hotel opened in Tokyo’s Shinjuku-ku ward. It is currently hosting the Hotel Floria Tokyo-Sanrio Characters Exhibition at the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. The show should run until May 2027.

“Set in a hotel filled with the characters’ dreams, each room and installation allows visitors to discover their distinctive personalities and charm,” a Hotel Floria Tokyo spokesperson told Euronews Travel.

The concept was born in Seoul, created by Korean digital design and art company D’strict. This iteration has 11 themed rooms, each designed around a different character created by Japanese entertainment company Sanrio, including Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi, Pompopurin, and Cinnamoroll.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ホテルフローリア トーキョー (@hotelfloria.tokyo)

After the obligatory check-in, visitors receive a character-themed Luc-Key entry pass. Rather than selecting their favourite character, each guest is assigned one at random, a neat marketing touch for anyone hoping to walk away with their favourite.

Each room allows visitors to enter the imagined “private” world of one of the Sanrio characters through carefully reimagined settings. Guests are invited to step into their everyday surroundings and explore them for themselves.

“Beyond taking photographs, guests can walk through, explore and experience these worlds for themselves”, Hotel Floria says. “This creates the feeling of becoming part of the story.”

The idea is to attract both adults and children, according to Hotel Floria Tokyo, allowing adults to “reconnect with fond childhood memories and a sense of nostalgia, while children can enjoy discovering them for the first time”.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ホテルフローリア トーキョー (@hotelfloria.tokyo)

Beyond the rooms, the grounds include a garden, a pond, an art gallery, a dedicated Photo Zone and even an indoor beach.

The team is especially proud of the Beach Zone. “Rather than merely viewing the dreamlike scenery imagined by the Sanrio characters, visitors can walk through it and experience it with all their senses. This is what makes the Beach Zone so special,” organisers told Euronews, adding: “As they walk across real sand, the visuals, sound and sensation beneath their feet naturally come together as one seamless experience.”

Hotel Floria is the latest example of how Japan has transformed one of its best-known cultural exports into a travel experience. Beyond merchandise, Hello Kitty has inspired themed cafés, airport installations, exhibitions and, until recently, her own bullet train.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ホテルフローリア トーキョー (@hotelfloria.tokyo)

Considering Japan’s long-standing love affair with cats, the concept may not be quite as surprising as it first appears. From the maneki-neko, the beckoning cat found at the entrance of shops and restaurants across the country, to Hello Kitty herself, Japanese people have a deep affection for their feline companions.

A recent example of that devotion is the appearance of quirky yellow road signs warning drivers to beware of cats darting into the road. Installed not by the authorities but by local communities and individuals, the signs have taken social media by storm.

L’article Hello Kitty gets a hotel in Tokyo where guests can check in but not stay est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Official figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) reveal foreign arrival numbers fell by almost half a million in the first two quarters of 2026, to hit 21 million, two percent lower year-on-year.

Chinese visitor numbers fell by 56% following a Chinese government travel advisory late in 2025, urging its citizens to avoid Japan due to geopolitical tensions over the status of Taiwan. Flight capacity between the two nations was also slashed.

China is usually a top source market for Japan but has since been overtaken by South Korea and Taiwan. South Korea took the top spot, sending 5.46 million visitors, an increase of 18.6%. Taiwan sent almost four million, the second-highest number of visitors, and a rise of 21%.

Vietnam and Malaysia sent more visitors than the previous year, and overall, Southeast Asia represented 11.2% of all visitors to Japan (351,000 in total). But, like China, Thailand and the Philippines declined as source markets.

Despite the drop in visitors, commentators note that overseas travellers in Japan spent around 2.5096 trillion yen (US$14.49 billion), a 0.2 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Part of the explanation is that other markets continued to show steady growth. US visitor numbers, the highest spenders, increased by 2.7% to around 354,000, and visitor numbers from France, Italy, the Nordics, Spain, and the UK all reached new records in June. Visitor numbers from India also went up an impressive 26%, and the Middle East sent nearly 30% more visitors than the same period in the year before.

Foreign visitors to Japan numbered a record 43 million in 2025, after a 16% year-on-year increase. Despite some concerns about overtourism that have led to increases in tourist taxes, tourist charges for Mount Fuji walking trails, and clashes between tourists and geisha culture in Kyoto, Japanese tourism officials are still looking to boost visitor numbers to 60 million by 2030.

Their strategy is to spread footfall, promote repeat visits, and encourage higher tourist spending—some of which the latest data shows is working, but Da Zhigang, a research fellow at the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies of the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday that there are “realities” at stake that the Japanese government will be “well aware of.” He explained that “The importance of the Chinese tourist market cannot simply be replaced by an increase in visitors from other countries,” and urged the government to work on improving China-Japan relations.

L’article Japanese tourism declines amid sharp drop in Chinese visitors est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

Since 2019, Japan has been applying a so-called International Tourist Tax or Sayonara Tax to anyone leaving the country by air or by sea. Both locals and tourists have been paying 1,000 yen (€5.4) upon departure ever since. More often than not, the tax is incorporated into airlines’ and cruise operators’ ticket prices. On a yearly basis, the levy raised approximately 50 billion yen (€269 million).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

However, since 1 July 2026, Japan has tripled the amount of the Departure Tax, which now amounts to 3,000 yen (€16.1). The tax only applies to tickets bought on 1 July 2026 or later, meaning that those with tickets predating the introduction can still benefit from the previous tariff. Children aged two or younger, transit passengers leaving within 24 hours, airline and ship crew members, and some diplomatic travellers are exempt from the tax.

Expected to bring in some 120 billion yen (€648 million) per year, according to Business Standard, the extra revenue of the Sayonara Tax will be used to fund overtourism countermeasures, to promote lesser-visited regions, to enhance accommodation capacity, and to strengthen Japan’s overall infrastructure.

The amount of the International Tourist Tax has been raised at the same time as Japan’s visa fees. This is the first increase in five decades; tourists and corporate arrivals from nations that do not benefit from a visa waiver will now have to pay five times as much as before to enter Japan. Single-entry visas will go up from ¥3,000 (€16) to ¥15,000 (€80), while a multi-entry visa has gone up from ¥6,000 (€32) to ¥30,000 (€160).

Moreover, some of Japan’s local authorities have been introducing or increasing their own taxes over the past year in order to deal with the larger number of visitors. For example, the city of Kyoto raised its hotel tax tariffs in March 2026. Instead of a maximum of 1,000 yen (€5.39) before, visitors can now be charged up to 10,000 yen (€53.9) per person per night for hotel rooms that are priced over 100,000 yen (€539) per night.

Meanwhile, however, passport fees for residents have gone down from 15,900 yen (€85) to JPY 8,900 (€48) when applying for a 10-year passport online.

The Departure Tax and visa fee increases come at a time when Japan has been experiencing a sharp rise in international arrivals. In 2025, 42.4 million visitors arrived in the country, while authorities are aiming to attract 60 million foreign tourists per year by 2030. Some of Japan’s most popular destinations, including Mount Fuji and Kyoto, are, however, already having a hard time dealing with the large influx of visitors, as the local infrastructure and accommodation capacity are not necessarily equipped for such an increase.

L’article Japan triples Departure Tax and raises visa fees for international visitors est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The West Express Ginga follows a route through Wakayama Prefecture, an area known for its mountains, dramatic coastline and cultural heritage. Shingu, the train’s final destination, is considered one of the gateways to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes, a network of ancient trails recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region is also home to historic temple towns, hot spring resorts and coastal landscapes that are less visited than Japan’s major cities. By connecting Kyoto with Shingu, the seasonal service encourages travellers to explore a different side of the country beyond the popular tourist hotspots.

The journey is designed to be more than simply travelling from one destination to another. Throughout the trip, onboard staff introduce passengers to the history and culture of the region, while guides share information about Wakayama’s geoparks and natural landscapes. Travellers can also learn about the area’s links to Japan’s space industry through onboard presentations about rockets. These activities turn the train into a moving sightseeing experience, giving passengers a better understanding of the places they pass before arriving at their destination.

Several extended station stops allow passengers to leave the train and experience local attractions along the route. At Wakayama Station, travellers can pick up the city’s famous Wakayama ramen from a nearby restaurant before continuing their journey. The train also stops at Kushimoto, where passengers can book a tuna cutlet burger meal or take a shuttle bus to the striking Hashigui-iwa rock formations, a group of towering rock pillars stretching into the sea. After arriving in Shingu, visitors can join a guided tour of Kumano Hayatama Taisha, one of the three grand shrines that form the sacred Kumano region. On the daytime return journey, the train also stops at Kainan Station, where passengers can sample regional specialities such as pike conger sushi and hayanarezushi, a traditional fermented fish dish.

Passengers can choose from several seating and accommodation options depending on their budget and travel style. Standard tickets include reserved reclining seats, while other carriages feature compartments with two bunk beds for travellers who prefer to sleep during the journey. Families can reserve larger compartments with bench seating that converts into a mattress suitable for up to four people. Those looking for extra comfort can book a Green Car private compartment from ¥11,450 (€69), with some premium private rooms available from ¥15,380 (€92). These tickets include spacious seating that converts into a bed, while passengers travelling in the first carriage also have access to a private lounge. The train is also equipped with washrooms, accessible seating and toilets, communal seating areas and a women-only seating section with a dedicated changing room.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Travel Tomorrow (@traveltomorrow.eu)

The summer service began on 3 July and will continue until 30 September 2026, completing 24 round trips during the season. Overnight trains from Kyoto and Osaka to Shingu operate on Mondays and Fridays, while daytime services from Shingu back to Osaka and Kyoto run on Wednesdays and Sundays. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 am one month before each departure and can be purchased through JR West’s e5489 online booking platform or at station ticket offices. With the first departure of the season already selling out, travellers planning to experience one of Japan’s most distinctive seasonal rail journeys are encouraged to book well in advance.

L’article Japan’s West Express Ginga sleeper train returns with tickets from €52 est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.

The historic move means that from 1 July 2026, tourists and corporate arrivals from nations that do not benefit from a visa waiver will pay five times as much as before to enter Japan. Single-entry visas will go up from ¥3,000 (around €16) to ¥15,000 (around €80). The fee for a multi-entry visa with a validity period of between one and five years, allowing stays of 90 days at a time, is being hiked by the same ratio, from ¥6,000 (€32) to ¥30,000 (over €160).

@hiro_no_tabi

Japan visa price hike

♬ original sound – Hiro | Japan Food + Travel

Although the Japanese economy has been famously stagnant since the national asset and real estate bubble burst in the early 1990s, officials have blamed the visa price increase on inflation and shifts in exchange rates.

Although it will affect major source markets like China, India, the Middle East, and the Philippines, even the planned five-fold increase in visa costs is unlikely to negatively impact visitor numbers in Japan, which has seen booming arrivals since the COVID-19 pandemic.

An Indian restaurant owner in Japan breaks down after his visa was rejected forcing him to return to India

"My kids only speak Japanese. I've worked hard for 30 years and bought a house. I haven't committed a crime and did my best. Is this humane?" he asks in a viral clip pic.twitter.com/7hWkK3T29o

— Shashank Mattoo (@MattooShashank) May 27, 2026

The country—once closed to all but a limited amount of foreign trade for the 220-year Edo period— has now become so popular with foreign guests that overtourism is a growing concern. The introduction of visitor access charges for certain shrines, hiking trails around Mount Fuji, increased rail tickets, and even political tensions with China have failed to significantly calm the tourism sector, and so the visa increases are not expected to be off-putting either, officials say.

Indeed, the creation of a new Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, or JESTA, that comes alongside the visa price increase, could make it easier for travellers to apply to visit. From 2028, would-be visitors to Japan from 74 visa-waiver nations will be able to submit identity and travel information online for screening before they depart.

On top of the changes for tourists, immigration fees are on their way up too, from ¥10,000 (€58) to ¥100,000 (€583) for residence and visa renewals, and up to ¥300,000 (€1,750) for permanent residency applications. These prices are yet to be confirmed and are predicted to be rolled out in spring 2027. Part of the funds raised by this adjustment are reportedly earmarked for Japanese language lessons for foreigners. Japan’s foreign resident population reached a record 4.13 million at the end of 2025.

L’article Japan set to raise foreign visa charges fivefold from 1 July est apparu en premier sur Travel Tomorrow.