Tourism Kyoto to introduce higher bus fares for non-residents

Kyoto will introduce a dual-pricing system for its public buses, requiring visitors to pay nearly double the fare charged to residents in what is believed to be the first such measure in Japan aimed at easing overtourism. Mayor Matsui Koji presented the plan to the city assembly on 25 February. It comes after years of residents' complaints that the bus network has been overwhelmed by visitors.

The new fares will take effect in 2027. Matsui had promised the policy during his campaign and said it would help residents benefit from tourism. The plan comes after growing frustration over crowded buses, with some locals saying they cannot get on.

Under the proposal, the current 230-yen ($1.50) flat fare for buses in the city center would be raised to between 350 yen and 400 yen for non-residents, while residents would pay a reduced rate of 200 yen. Priority pricing will also be introduced in the city's "adjusted-fare zones," where prices vary by distance, although specific fares are still under consideration. A key hurdle for the bus pricing policy was the Road Transport Law, which prohibits "unjust discriminatory treatment" of passengers. The city has been consulting with the transport ministry on the matter since Matsui's election in February 2024 and believes the proposal clears this legal requirement.

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City authorities concede, however, that the new fares are unlikely to alleviate congestion. To distinguish between residents and tourists, the city is considering a system that links data from the national My Number identification card to transportation IC cards.