Check Whether the Raised 3,000-Yen Japan Departure Tax Is on Your Ticket
Key Takeaway
Flights out of Japan bought now carry a 3,000-yen departure tax, per Japan's National Tax Agency, from July 1, 2026. Certain contracts made before July get 1,000 yen, so check when you bought your ticket.
Who pays the departure tax, and how?
Anyone leaving Japan by ship or plane pays it, regardless of nationality, so Korean travelers pay too. Airlines normally add it to the fare and pay it to the government for you, so there is no separate line at the airport. Only private-jet departures that bypass a carrier pay customs directly before boarding.
How much did it go up?
| Case | Rate |
|---|---|
| Departures on or after July 1, 2026 | 3,000 yen per departure |
| Departures on or after July 1 under certain contracts made before July 1 | 1,000 yen per departure |
The tax applies every time you leave Japan, so several trips a year add up. A family of four, all aged 2 or older, pays 12,000 yen in departure tax per trip.
Is anyone exempt?
Yes. The National Tax Agency lists these as not taxed:
- Children under 2
- Transit passengers who leave within 24 hours of arrival
- People who made an emergency landing in Japan due to weather or similar reasons, or who departed and had to return
- Aircraft and ship crew
If you connect through a Japanese airport but stay longer than 24 hours, you no longer count as a transit passenger. When planning a layover, work out the gap between arrival and departure first.
Where do I see the amount on my ticket?
Look at the taxes and fees section of your ticket receipt or e-ticket itinerary. Airlines label it differently, so check both the amount and the item name. If you bought before July 1 but changed the date and had the ticket reissued, the amount may have changed. The agency only describes the 1,000-yen contracts as "certain" contracts, and the guidance doesn't say which changes affect it.
If you already have your return flight, open the tax section of the receipt once. If the amount isn't what you expected, the quickest route is to ask the issuing airline's or travel agency's customer center with your booking number.
Source: National Tax Agency, International Tourist Tax. Checked 2026-10-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay separately at the airport?
Usually not. The National Tax Agency says airlines and shipping companies add it to the ticket price and pay it on your behalf. Only departures that don't go through a carrier, such as private jets, are paid by the traveler directly.
Does a baby pay 3,000 yen too?
Children under 2 are not taxed. From age 2, the same rate as adults applies.
I bought my ticket in June but it shows 3,000 yen. Is that a mistake?
It's hard to say right away. The agency only says the 1,000-yen rate applies to 'certain' contracts made before July 1, so changes or reissues may matter. Show your receipt to the airline or travel agency that issued the ticket and ask.
Sources & Verification Date
All materials have been verified from official announcements and may have changed since verification.