Kyoto Raises Luxury Stay Tax 10-Fold

Kyoto hikes its tourist accommodation tax tenfold for high-end stays, targeting luxury hotels while sparing budget options. Frugal travelers enjoy unchanged rates at hostels, ryokans, and mid-range spots amid cherry blossoms and ancient temples. This policy funds preservation of the city's timeless bamboo groves and geisha districts. Visitors prioritize affordable lodgings to wander lantern-lit streets and savor kaiseki meals without excess costs.