WASHINGTON — Kyoto, one of Japan's most famous cities, has announced a 900% hike to its "tourist tax," after massive crowds of foreigners have strained the city's infrastructure in recent years.

The increased fee was announced on the city's official website earlier this month .

According to the website, the new tax will be used to "promote tourism that makes use of its diverse and profound charms" and "further promote harmony and compatibility between civic life and tourism."

The new tourist tax will go into effect on March 1, 2026. Specifically, it is an increase to the city's accommodation fee, which is a tax added onto each night's bill at a hotel according to the daily rate at that establishment.

Under the old rate, someone paying 100,000 yen for a hotel room (around $650 USD) wo

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