NISEKO NEWS
By Thomas Shomaker
A Niseko lodging tax will go into effect on 1 November of this year with tiered rates tied to the price of the accommodation.
The idea of an accommodation tax in Niseko was first proposed in March of last year and the 1 November start time, ahead of the 2024/25 winter season, was announced this week on 13 March.
Under the ‘Niseko Accommodation Tax Ordinance’, a guest paying less than JPY5,001 ($33.88) for a night at an accommodation will pay a JPY100 (US$0.68) tax, while a guest paying more than JPY5,001 and less than JPY20,000 (US$135.49) will pay a JPY200 (US$135.49) tax.
The tiered system has a total of five categories, with the most expensive bracket being a JPY2,000 (US$13.55) tax for guests paying more than JPY100,000 (US$677.45) a night.
The tax is calculated solely on the accommodation costs and does not take into account add-ons from the lodging, such as meals and facility use fees.
For collections, the accommodation operators will charge the tax to guests and declare and pay the fees every month, although if predetermined amounts per month are not met accommodations can apply to declare and pass on the fees every three months.
School excursions and their chaperones are exempt from the accommodation tax, although university trips are not, as are parties deemed exempt by Niseko Town’s mayor.
Niseko’s accommodation tax follows Kutchan Town’s 2% accommodation tax which has been in place since November 2019.
Overviews of the Niseko Accommodation Tax Ordinance are available from Niseko Town in English and Japanese.
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Niseko Town
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