Japan Travel Updates 2025-2026: Essential Rules for Tourists on Departure Tax, Health, Transport, and Safety

Toshi Guide from Japan

Overview of Japan's Evolving Travel Landscape [0:00]

Japan is experiencing an unprecedented surge in tourism, with over 3.89 million travelers in October 2025, marking a 17.6% increase from the previous year. This rapid growth has prompted the introduction of new rules and updates that travelers should be aware of to ensure a safer, cheaper, and more enjoyable trip in 2025-2026.

1. Japan’s Departure Tax to Increase [1:06]

• Every traveler departing Japan currently pays a 1,000 yen departure tax, typically included in airline ticket prices.
• There is a proposal within the Japanese government to raise this tax to 3,000 yen (approximately $20 USD).
  • The additional funds are intended to provide more stable funding for improving Japan's tourism infrastructure.
  • This increase will affect both international and Japanese travelers as it applies to anyone leaving the country.
• Japan's current tax is lower than many other countries; for example, the United States charges about 3,500 yen, Egypt 3,900 yen, and Australia 7,000 yen.

  

2. Japan’s Flu Outbreak – What Travelers Need to Know [2:12]

• Japan is currently experiencing a significant and early surge in influenza cases, with the season starting almost a month earlier than usual, making it the second-earliest outbreak in 20 years.
• By late November, the situation had reached an official warning level, a situation not seen in 16 years.

  

• Recommended Precautions for Travelers include wearing a mask in crowded areas, washing hands frequently, gargling or using mouthwash regularly, and considering getting a flu shot before traveling, as its protection lasts about five months.
• Travelers should also be aware of the spread of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), a tick-borne disease mentioned in a previous video.

  

3. Kyoto’s Big Luggage Ban [3:14]

• Kyoto, a highly popular city, is facing challenges due to overtourism.
• The city is promoting "hands-free sightseeing," discouraging tourists from bringing large luggage onto city buses.
  • This policy has already led to instances where travelers with large suitcases are denied boarding during peak hours.
  • Luggage on buses must be under one meter in length and under ten kilograms in total weight.

    

    

  • Kyoto's transportation bureau is considering stricter enforcement, including potential fees or tighter size restrictions.
  • For travelers with large bags, storing luggage at hotels or station lockers is an option. However, if hotels are only accessible by bus, taking a taxi may be necessary, which can be more expensive.

4. No More Suica? Big Update! [4:37]

• By spring 2026, eleven major railway companies in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Tokyo Metro, will introduce a tap-to-pay system.
• This system will allow travelers to ride trains by tapping their credit cards, debit cards, or smartphones with linked cards, eliminating the need for physical tickets or topping up IC cards like Suica or Pasmo.
  • This new system aims for seamless transfers between different participating train companies.

    

  • This is particularly convenient for Android users, as Mobile Suica currently only works on iPhones.
• Japan Railways (JR), the largest railway operator, is not expected to join this system for now.

5. Holiday Shinkansen Warning [5:57]

• During major holiday seasons, including the New Year period, Japan suspends non-reserved seating on the Shinkansen (bullet train).
• For the 2025-2026 New Year period, the dates are December 26th to January 4th.

  

• All Shinkansen trains will operate with reserved seats only, meaning travelers cannot board without a reservation, even if they plan to stand.
• Travelers planning to use the Shinkansen during these dates must book their tickets in advance.

6. Two Big Train Updates [6:39]

• The famous Hello Kitty Shinkansen, which has been operating in western Japan since 2018, will officially end its service in the spring of 2026.

  

• Special Super Mario themed limited express trains and Shinkansen will be introduced across three regions of Kyushu.
  • Services will start as early as November 29th, 2025, and run until around the end of June 2026.

    

    

7. 40-Meter Godzilla Welcomes You to Japan [7:37]

• A massive 40-meter-long Godzilla installation is coming to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, Terminal 3.
• This installation is intended to "welcome everyone arriving in Japan and send them off when they depart."

  

• This initiative is part of Godzilla's 70th-anniversary celebration, which began in November 2024.
• The installation is planned for completion in late December 2025 and will remain on display until late December 2026.

8. What China’s Travel Warning Means for You [8:35]

• On November 14th, 2025, the Chinese government advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan due to diplomatic tensions.
• This has resulted in a wave of cancellations from Chinese tourists, potentially leading to a significant drop in visitors from China.

  

  

  • In October 2025, Chinese tourists accounted for approximately 18% of all international visitors to Japan (715,000 out of 3.89 million).

    

• Potential Effects for Non-Chinese Travelers include reduced congestion in major tourist cities and a potential drop in prices for flights, hotels, and attractions due to decreased demand.

9. Where Not to Go (Bear Incidents) [10:02]

• Japan is experiencing a record number of bear incidents, with over 120 attacks on humans reported from January to September 2025, and the highest number of deaths on record for the year.

  

• Experts recommend choosing areas with no recent bear sightings, such as Chiba, Shikoku, Kyushu, and Okinawa, where travelers can enjoy nature without high risk.

  

• If you encounter a bear, avoid these three dangerous actions:
  • Running away with your back turned.

    

  • Shouting or making sudden movements that might startle the bear.

    

  • Leaving or throwing food-containing bags.

    

• Instead, stay calm, avoid these behaviors, and slowly back away to create distance from the animal.