Kyoto Hikes Hotel Tax To Deal With Overtourism

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past 25 years, I have been to Kyoto, Japan twice. But each time I stayed at hotels in neighboring Osaka. It was not that I was avoiding Kyoto, it just happened to work out that way (one was with a tour).

Over the past several years, Kyoto has been hit with hordes of tourists. The Japanese refer to it as overtourism. 

Kyoto is taking a stand against overtourism by reforming their hotel tax. 

According to Travel and Tour World:

In a decisive move to address the growing challenges posed by overtourism, Japan has introduced a groundbreaking hotel tax reform in Kyoto, one of its most iconic and historically significant cities. This bold initiative aims to manage the surging influx of international visitors, which has put immense pressure on the city’s infrastructure and local communities. With tourism in Kyoto reaching unprecedented levels, the new tax is designed not only to generate vital revenue for preserving the city’s cultural heritage but also to ensure sustainable tourism practices. By introducing a tiered tax structure based on accommodation costs, Japan seeks to balance the needs of tourists and residents, safeguard Kyoto’s historic charm, and improve the quality of life for locals, setting a powerful precedent for other destinations grappling with similar issues worldwide.

In a significant move to address the growing challenges of overtourism, Japan has approved an overhaul of its hotel tax. This measure follows a sharp rise in international visitors to the country, particularly in Kyoto, one of its most popular tourist destinations. The government’s decision to introduce the highest-ever hotel tax in the city comes in response to a rapid increase in tourism that has placed significant pressure on local infrastructure and residents.

Currently, the accommodation tax in Kyoto is capped at ¥1,000 (approximately £4.90) per night. Under the new rules, however, the city’s accommodation tax will increase dramatically, with projections suggesting a rise from ¥5.2 billion (around £25.5 million) to ¥12.6 billion (approximately £61.7 million) in annual revenue—a staggering 142% increase. The new tax system will vary depending on the price of accommodation, ensuring that higher-end hotels contribute more toward managing the impacts of tourism.

To read the full article, go here. 

Cruise Industry Suing Hawaii Over "Green Fee"

Above, a Honolulu sunset. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

"Democrats never met a tax they didn't like or hike." This was said many times by President Ronald Reagan. Such is the case with Hawaii.

Hawaii is under Democrat control much like California. They passed a "Green Fee" earlier this year on the tourism industry purportedly to fight climate change, which is bullshit anyway. 

The cruise industry is fighting back and plans on suing the state of Hawaii over this tax that's set to go into effect next year.

USA Today reported:

The cruise industry’s leading trade group is suing Hawaii over a new tax on cruises and other travel accommodations.

The state passed the country’s first “Green Fee” earlier this year, raising its transient accommodations tax by 0.75% to 11% to fund climate change resiliency projects and other environmental efforts. The increased fee, set to take effect in 2026, applies to hotels, vacation rentals and – for the first time – cruises.

Cruise Lines International Association said, in an Aug. 27 lawsuit filed in the District of Hawaii, that the change violates federal law, in part because it conflicts with the U.S. Constitution’s Tonnage Clause.

Honolulu Ship Supply Co., Kaua’i Kilohana Partners and Aloha Anuenue Tours LLC are also listed as plaintiffs. They contend that the requirements place an undue burden on cruise lines and passengers and risk undermining Hawaii cruise tourism.

To read more, go here.

Trump: No Property Taxes For People Over 65 Who Own Their House Outright!

I totally agree with this!

President Trump declares, "No property taxes for people over 65 who own house outright! Housing should not be a burden for seniors."

Do you agree?

A. Yes
B. No pic.twitter.com/4sWTMrT7ES

— Charlie Kirk 🇺🇸 Commentary (@CharlieK_news) June 2, 2025

Will Hawaii's $100M Tourist Climate Fee Actually Fix Anything?

Tourists to Hawaii will be levied a new tax allegedly earmarked to fight climate change.

Need I remind you that Hawaii's state government is dominated by radical leftist Democrats (like California) who love to impose more new taxes on people.

From Beat of Hawaii:

Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaii each year. Now, all of them will help fund the first-in-the-nation climate resilience fee designed to raise $100 million annually in its first and likely not last levy. This will be paid primarily by visitors as a function of an additional accommodation tax. That new law, just signed by Governor Josh Green, brings those taxes to about 19% and, for the first time, applies them to cruise ships.

Supporters call it groundbreaking, while critics call it another vague money grab. Either way, the stakes are high. The critical question is: Can this fee deliver what Hawaii says it will? It is one of Hawaii’s boldest new promises, with high stakes.

To read more, go here. 

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here. 

Mexico Rolls Back Its New Tax On Cruise Ship Visitors

After much criticism (justifiably so), Mexico has rolled back its tax on cruise ship passengers.

It was first set at $42 per passenger, but the government has rolled that back to $5.

According to Fox News:  

A tourism tax was rocking the boats in the cruise industry, imposing a charge on passengers. 

A $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico was voted in by the country’s congress back in December, The Associated Press reported at the time.

The Non-Resident Duty was to begin collection on Jan. 1 of this year.

Then, due to strong criticism, the tax was pushed back to July.

Now the tax has been dropped to $5 and will be implemented on July 1, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) confirmed to Fox News Digital.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Implements Bold Measures To Conquer Overtourism

Above, the Godzilla statue at Toho Studios in Setagaya. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

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With the very favorable exchange rates between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar and other currencies, it is no wonder that foreign tourists are flocking to Japan. 

In Japan's eyes, this "overtourism" is causing problems and the government is taking steps to deal with it.

According to Travel and Tour World:

Japan is escalating its fight against overtourism with new fee hikes and tax reforms, impacting popular sites like Mount Fuji and Himeji Castle starting in 2026.

Japan is taking steps to address overtourism by introducing new fees and restrictions on certain travel perks.

For instance, the fee for foreign visitors wishing to climb Mount Fuji will increase significantly this summer, rising to 4,000 yen (approximately $28). Additionally, starting in March 2026, Himeji Castle will implement a higher admission fee for tourists from outside western Japan, charging between 2,000 and 3,000 yen, compared to just 1,000 yen for locals.

Japan’s Accommodation Tax In March, nine cities and two prefectures across Japan will begin enforcing an accommodation tax for the first time. This new tax will range from 100 yen ($0.70) to 500 yen ($3.50) per person, per night, in areas such as Miyagi, Hiroshima, and several locations in Hokkaido, Gifu, Miyagi, and Shimane prefectures.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto To Hike Lodging Tax

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Kyoto, Japan will be paying more when staying in the city's hotels and other accommodations.

The municipal government will be hiking the lodging tax up to ¥10,000 per person per night starting in March 2026.

According to Kyodo News:

KYOTO - The city government of Kyoto said Tuesday it will raise its lodging tax for people staying at hotels and other accommodations from March 2026, setting the maximum rate at a sharply higher 10,000 yen ($64) per person per night.

The new rates will range from 200 yen to 10,000 yen, compared with the current ones of between 200 yen and 1,000 yen, it said. The top rate will be the highest for fixed amounts imposed by municipalities, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

The city introduced a three-tiered accommodation tax system in 2018, with 200 yen levied on rooms costing less than 20,000 a night and 1,000 yen on those priced at 50,000 yen or higher.

To read more, go here. 

Mexico Passes $42 Immigration Tax for Cruise Passengers

There's nothing like being welcomed as a tourist to a foreign country. Unless, of course, that country wants to charge tourists an immigration levy who arrive aboard a cruise ship.

According to AP News:

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Cruise ship industry players are up in arms after the lower house of Mexico’s Congress voted this week to charge a $42 immigration levy for every passenger on cruise ships that dock in Mexico.

Two-thirds of the money raised, moreover, would go to the Mexican army, not to improve port facilities.

The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents cried foul late Thursday, saying the charges could make Mexico uncompetitively expensive for cruise ships.

In the past, cruise ship passengers had been exempted from the immigration fee, because they sleep aboard the vessels and some don’t even get off the ship during port calls. They would apparently be charged the $42 fee anyway, according to the new budget law.

To read more, go here. 

Kamala Harris Voted To Allow IRS To Track Tips

Earlier in this campaign, former President Donald Trump came out with a campaign promise to eliminate taxes on tips.

Now, all of a sudden, Kamala Harris is copying Trump's promise.

We should all take that with the proverbial grain of salt. She was the one who cast the tie-breaking vote on a bill to allow the Internal Revenue Service to track service industry workers' tips.

From Breitbart:

Vice President Kamala Harris — who on Saturday copied a campaign promise first announced by former President Donald Trump to eliminate taxes on tips — voted in 2022 to pass legislation that allowed the IRS to track down workers’ tips so that they could be taxed.

On August 7, 2022, Harris cast the tie-breaking vote to pass the Inflation Reduction Act that provided $80 billion in additional funding to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which then got to work cracking down on the service industry’s reporting of tips so that they could be taxed.

This is all a bunch of B.S. on her part. She is not to be trusted.

To read more, go here.

California Excise Tax On Firearms Prompts Lawsuit

Another great example of what happens when a state becomes a one-party state of radical socialist Democrats is the 11% excise tax on firearms, parts and ammunition in California. 

This has prompted a lawsuit (as well it should have).

Fox News reported:

A consortium of Second Amendment advocacy groups and two residents filed suit seeking to block California’s new 11% excise tax on firearms, parts and ammunition.

The case, Jaymes v. Maduros, alleged that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that constitutional rights should not be subject to taxation, and sought to block the tax that went into effect July 1.

One of the precedents cited was Murdock v. Pennsylvania, in which the court sided with a Jehovah’s Witness who had been required to purchase a permit to evangelize door-to-door in Westmoreland County.

In that regard, the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC), National Rifle Association (NRA), California Rifle & Pistol Association and the two civilians filed their complaint against California Department of Tax & Fee Administration Director Nicolas Maduros in his official capacity, citing similar protections.

I am glad that I moved out of that rotten state.

To read more, go here.

Fuel Tax or Fee Per Mile?

Above, at Red Rock Park Campground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The state of California is looking into a fee per mile as a replacement for the gasoline tax.

But knowing the Democrats who control the state as we do, it is very unlikely that they would jettison the gasoline tax and replace it with a fee per mile tax. They would keep the gas tax and implement the fee per mile tax. Have you ever known the Democrats end any taxation?

This "fee per mile" subject is the topic of an article in RV Travel. It also includes a poll.

They begin with:

A survey of Americans across the board shows many are willing to take a ten-cent hike in the federal fuel tax. Others think that ditching the gas tax in favor of a “fee per mile” would be better. As an RVer, would you rather pay more for fuel tax or pay a mileage fee? Before you get the chance to answer, there are a few things to know.

To read more, go here. 

Tax Season 2024

Tax season is close to ending. April 15 (the Democrats' favorite day of the calendar) is fast approaching.

I sent my tax documents to my tax preparer already. It is easy to do in this day and age through emails and online reporting.

I have been getting tax refunds these past few years. So it isn't like the old days when I was working. This is definitely a benefit of being retired. 

Osaka Considering New Tourist Tax

Above, a moat of Osaka Castle. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The U.S. isn't the only country who has gone "tax crazy" these past several years.

The prefecture of Osaka is considering a new tax on tourists to make the region more attractive and investing in the region's tourism infrastructure. 

According to the South China Morning Post:

Another popular tourist destination in Japan is planning to introduce a new levy on foreign visitors, with the governor of Osaka prefecture vowing that the funds generated from the tax will be reinvested into the region’s tourism infrastructure.

Industry insiders and analysts broadly agree that an additional small daily levy would not place too much of a burden on travellers or put others off visiting Osaka – but they emphasise that the prefecture must keep its promise to plough those funds back into the tourism sector.

Osaka Governor Hirofumi Yoshimura announced on Wednesday that he would set up a panel to consider the new levy in April and to examine the effectiveness of an existing accommodation tax.

To read more, go here. 

New Mexico Senate Bill 41 - Gas Tax

One of the most stupid moves the Democrats who control the state legislature in Santa Fe made this legislative session is the gas tax bill. It appears the Left in New Mexico wants to make gasoline almost as pricey as in California. It is particularly stupid of them since this is an election year.

They passed this bill:

S.B. 41 – Gas Tax

The bill, referred to as the “Clean Fuel Standard” sponsored by Sen. Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), will increase gas prices by at least 50 cents per gallon, and you can expect similar increases in groceries and supplies, as well as an increase in pretty much everything else. This bill will make life more expensive in New Mexico.

Nothing like sticking it to the people of New Mexico. 

Unless she already signed the bill into law, people need to contact Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and demand that she veto this bill. 

If she signs it, we'll need to remember this come the November election and vote out every Democrat who voted for it.

Here are the final votes:

House final vote on S.B. 41: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/24%20Regular/votes/HB0041HVOTE.pdf

Senate final vote on S.B. 41: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/24%20Regular/votes/HB0041SVOTE.pdf

To read about more stupid legislation, go here.

Hawaii Proposes $25 Tourism Tax

Above, the battleship USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If there is a constant in this universe, it is that blue states (controlled by Democrats) will find any means to tax people using overtourism or climate change as an excuse.

Hawaii is considering a $25 tourism tax. Of course, Hawaii is a Democrat-controlled state.

According to Lonely Planet:

Spending time on Hawaii’s gorgeous beaches or traipsing through its vibrant forests could cost travelers just a little more in the future.

Joining other nations struggling with the heavy burden of over-tourism, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, proposed a $25 climate fee on tourists. The bill, HB206 is currently in committee in Hawaii’s legislature. 

What lawmakers call the green fee, or visitor impact fee, is intended to raise funds to help protect beaches, prevent wildfires and offset the repercussions of nearly 10 million visitors per year. Hawaii’s population hovers at 1.6 million, meaning tourists make up the vast majority of people on the islands at any given time.

“A Climate Impact Fee on visitors would provide the needed resources to protect our environment and increase awareness of the impacts of climate change,” Green said. “I believe this is not too much to ask of visitors to our islands… Hawaii’s natural resources – our beaches, forests, and waterfalls – are an essential part of our culture and way of life.”

The proposed fee would be added to a visitor’s accommodation charge in lieu of raising hotel and resort taxes, which in Hawaii are already some of the highest in the world. 

To read more, go here. 

NM Radical-Left Dems Want To Tax Alcohol By 651%

As I said before, Democrats never met a tax they didn't like. Or hike.

Now the far-left in Santa Fe are targeting retail alcoholic taxes for a major hike. The hike will be up to 651%.

The Piñon Post reported:

On Monday, legislators in Santa Fe, New Mexico, advanced House Bill 213, which aimed to modify the state’s approach to alcohol taxation. The proposed legislation intends to shift the taxation from being imposed on wholesale transactions to being applied at the retail level.

According to the Legislative Finance Committee, this adjustment might lead to an increase in the cost of alcoholic beverages and cocktails when bought in dining establishments while potentially reducing the prices of certain packaged liquors sold in retail outlets. The committee highlighted that alcohol taxes in New Mexico have remained unchanged for over two decades.

The bill also suggests an exemption from excise taxes for small-scale producers such as microbreweries, craft distilleries, and boutique wine producers, maintaining a tax framework that favors these small entities.

According to Errors of Enchantment by the Rio Grande Foundation, the bill would hike prices on beer and cider by 651 percent, wine by 376 percent, spirits by 353 percent, and fortified wine by 161 percent.

“We have previously discussed the fact that New Mexico’s taxes on alcohol are NOT low. In fact, our tax on wine is already 5th-highest in the nation,” wrote the outlet.

To read more, go here. 

NM House Passes Gas Hike Bill

Above, a California gas station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To paraphrase Will Rogers, Democrats never met a tax they didn't like. Or hike. 

You may be familiar with the high gas prices in California due to similar laws. How would you like to pay $5-6 per gallon in New Mexico?

This may be happening in New Mexico as eco-leftists in the legislature are proposing a "clean transportation fuel standard" that, if passed, will hike gasoline prices fifty cents or more.

The Piñon Post reported:

The New Mexico House of Representatives voted Sunday to pass a “clean transportation fuel standard” that will increase gas prices by around 50 cents per gallon or more. The passage was narrowly secured with a vote tally of 36-33, reflecting a divided stance among the legislators, with Democrats joining all Republicans to reject it.

The bill in question, identified as a modified version of House Bill 41 by the House Judiciary Committee, seeks to lay the groundwork for a statewide initiative focused on diminishing the carbon intensity associated with transportation fuels. The ambitious targets set by this initiative aim for a reduction of at least 20% from the levels recorded in 2018 by the year 2030, escalating to a minimum of 30% by 2040.

Proponents of the bill, such as sponsor Rep. Kristina Ortez from Taos, argue that the establishment of such standards is crucial for attracting clean fuel businesses to New Mexico.

States that have adopted similar standards, such as California, Oregon, and Washington, admit that they directly increase fuel prices in these states.

Contact your legislator and tell them to NOT support this crazy bill. 

To read more, go here.

Hawaii Hotel Prices Up 70%, May Stifle Overtourism

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The "powers that be" in Hawaii are talking about stifling overtourism by adding fees lately.'

However, that may not be necessary since hotel room rates have risen 70% since the end of the pandemic. They may take care of the overtourism "problem".

According to Beat of Hawaii:

With the nightly cost of Hawaii hotels, the state may not need to worry much longer about over-tourism. Between high prices and the pressure on vacation rentals, the issue could become self-regulating. Regular commenter John W. said today that “Hawaii hotel prices are outlandish.” And we concur. The December numbers speak for themselves.

BOH editors will be in West Maui in February to bring you more on-the-ground coverage. What we found, no matter how hard we tried, or where we looked, was what we deemed to be just too high pricing. In the end, given the cost, we chose not to book yet, waiting until the last minute. In addition to costs, the cancellation notice and penalties were too much to feel comfortable.

To read more, go here. 

NM Democrats "Importing" Commiefornia's Excise Tax On Firearms

New Mexico's leftist Democrats are trying to emulate the Commiefornia Democrats more and more with each passing day.

The latest is a Commiefornia import: an excise tax on firearms, ammunition, firearm precursor parts and suppressors.

The NRA-ILA reported:

The attacks on the Second Amendment keep coming in the Land of Enchantment!  More anti-gun legislation has been pre-filed this week, this time by State Senator Linda Lopez (D-ABQ), who is proposing a California-style 11% excise tax on firearms, firearm precursor parts, suppressors, and ammunition, to be collected from New Mexico firearms retailers and sporting goods outlets and placed in both the crime victims reparation fund and a fund for services to children and families involved in abuse or neglect situations (the latter being an area where the current administration and state agencies have failed abysmally.)  This bill would make it more expensive for law-abiding citizens to exercise a constitutional right and to practice or train with firearms to become safer and more proficient when using them recreationally, or for hunting, competition or self-defense.

This tax on your Second Amendment rights will not be assigned a bill number until after the New Mexico Legislature convenes next Tuesday, January 16th. 

To read more, go here.