Starting April 2026: Notice of Furano City’s New Lodging Tax

About Furano City’s Lodging Tax (Starting April 2026)

From April 2026, Furano City will introduce a new “lodging tax.” This tax is designated for tourism purposes, such as enhancing the appeal of local attractions, improving multilingual information services, and upgrading visitor facilities.
All accommodation facilities in Furano City, including our pension “Hoshi ni Negai wo,” are subject to this tax, which will be collected separately from the room rate per guest, per night.

Tax Amount (Furano City Lodging Tax + Hokkaido Lodging Tax)

The lodging tax is implemented by both Furano City and Hokkaido Prefecture. The total amount is as follows, based on your accommodation fee (all amounts are per guest, per night):

Accommodation under ¥20,000: ¥300 (Furano City ¥200 + Hokkaido ¥100)
Accommodation from ¥20,000 to under ¥50,000: ¥500 (Furano City ¥300 + Hokkaido ¥200)
Accommodation ¥50,000 and above: ¥1,000 (Furano City ¥500 + Hokkaido ¥500)

Since our room rates at “Hoshi ni Negai wo” are ¥20,000 or less per guest, per night, the applicable lodging tax will be ¥300 per guest, per night. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Payment Method

At “Hoshi ni Negai wo,” we kindly ask that the lodging tax be paid in cash. The timing of payment will be informed upon your arrival.
We do not accept credit cards, QR code payments (such as PayPay), or transportation IC cards (such as Suica) for this tax.
Even if you book via an online travel agency (such as Expedia, Booking.com, Jalan or Rakuten Travel), the lodging tax must be paid separately in cash at “Hoshi ni Negai wo.”

Cases Eligible for Exemption (Examples)

The lodging tax is exempt for accommodations that are part of certain school-organized events. If you qualify, please present official documentation issued by the school or institution.

School trips & events: Participants and chaperones in school trips or events organized by schools defined under Article 1 of Japan’s School Education Act (elementary, junior high, high school, and special needs schools; excluding universities).
Preschool/childcare-related events: Participants and chaperones in events organized by certified childcare centers, nursery schools, non-licensed childcare facilities, family-based childcare, small-scale childcare, home-visit childcare, or in-house childcare facilities, for children aged 3 years and older.
Other: Cases deemed necessary by the mayor.

* Stays for general tourism or leisure purposes are not exempt. Whether the exemption applies will be determined upon verification of the required documentation.

Implementation Schedule and Neighboring Municipalities

Furano City’s lodging tax is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2026.
At the same time, the Hokkaido Prefectural Lodging Tax will also be introduced, and the total amount will be collected at the accommodation facility.

Nearby, Asahikawa City is also scheduled to introduce a lodging tax in April 2026, with the city tax amount plus the prefectural tax totaling (e.g., ¥300 for accommodations under ¥20,000).
Sapporo City, Biei Town, and other municipalities in Hokkaido are also planning or considering lodging tax systems, many with total amounts similar to Furano City’s rates.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When do I pay the lodging tax?
A. At “Hoshi ni Negai wo,” the lodging tax is collected in cash at either check-in or check-out, depending on our guidance. The timing may vary depending on your booking method and plan.

Q2. Is the lodging tax included in the room rate?
A. No. The lodging tax is not included and must be paid separately in cash.

Q3. Can I pay the lodging tax by credit card or cashless payment?
A. “Hoshi ni Negai wo” does not accept credit cards, QR code payments (such as PayPay), or transportation IC cards (such as Suica) for the lodging tax. Cash only.

Q4. If I book and prepay through an OTA, do I still have to pay the lodging tax?
A. Yes. Even if you prepay your room charge through online travel agencies like Expedia, Booking.com, Rakuten Travel or Jalan, the lodging tax must still be paid in cash on-site at “Hoshi ni Negai wo.”

Q5. Who is subject to the lodging tax?
A. All guests staying at accommodations in Furano City are subject to the tax, regardless of the purpose of stay (tourism, business, etc.).

Q6. Do children also have to pay the lodging tax?
A. Yes. In accordance with Furano City regulations, children are also subject to the lodging tax at “Hoshi ni Negai wo.” However, exemptions apply for school trips or childcare facility events, provided the required documentation is presented.

Q7. In what cases is the lodging tax exempt?
A. Exemptions apply for school trips, school events, certified childcare facility events, and certain other cases as approved by the mayor. Documentation is required for exemption.

Q8. Do other cities have a lodging tax?
A. Yes. In Hokkaido, cities such as Asahikawa, Biei, and Sapporo have introduced or are considering similar lodging tax systems, many with the same total rates as Furano City.