Kamakura, a 'Slam Dunk' mecca, to impose lodging tax from October next year

[Financial News, Tokyo = Correspondent Seo Hye-jin] Kamakura in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, which is famous as the setting of the popular basketball manga and anime "Slam Dunk," has decided to impose a lodging tax from October next year to ease overtourism and improve its tourism environment.
According to Nihon Keizai Shimbun and other outlets on the 28th, Kamakura plans to submit an ordinance bill to the regular city assembly, which opens on the 2nd of next month, to levy a lodging tax of 300 yen per person per night, or about 2,600 won. The tax will apply to 413 facilities in the city, including hotels, ryokan, minshuku, and simple lodging establishments.
Kamakura is well known for the Enoshima Electric Railway (Enoden) crossing and seaside scenery featured in the opening sequence of the "Slam Dunk" anime. It also draws tourists from around the world with major attractions such as the 11.3-meter-tall Kamakura Daibutsu at Kōtoku-in and the nearby island resort of Enoshima.
However, the city has been struggling with overtourism as large numbers of visitors flock to specific spots such as the railway crossing, causing traffic congestion, littering, and trespassing on private property.
Kamakura estimates that it receives about 500,000 overnight guests a year and expects the lodging tax to generate roughly 150 million yen in annual revenue.
The city plans to use the tax revenue to expand tourism infrastructure, including road improvements and the installation of public restrooms.
In particular, it intends to actively promote extended-stay tourism, which aims to move away from a short-visit model, lengthen visitors' stays, reduce inconvenience for residents, and boost local tourism spending.
Meanwhile, 62 local governments in Japan, including Tokyo Metropolis and Kyoto City, are currently operating or have finalized plans to introduce a lodging tax.

[email protected] Seo Hye-jin Reporter