Onsen tax and what you pay at check-in
The price you see on a booking site is not always everything you pay at a ryokan. The most common extra is the onsen bathing tax (入湯税, nyuto-zei), a small charge per person per night. Some cities add an accommodation tax, and you may pay for drinks, private baths or upgrades on the spot. Here is what to expect.
What is the onsen tax in Japan?
The onsen tax (入湯税) is a local bathing tax charged by the municipality, commonly ¥150 per adult per night at hot-spring accommodation, though amounts vary and children are often exempt. It is usually collected at check-in or added to your bill, sometimes alongside a city accommodation tax.
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What is the onsen tax (nyuto-zei)?
入湯税 is a municipal tax charged to people who bathe in hot springs. It funds things like tourism, hot-spring source protection and local fire services. The standard rate set in national law is ¥150 per person per day, but each municipality decides its own rate and exemptions, so you will see different amounts from town to town.
Who pays and how much
- Overnight guests at onsen accommodation usually pay it per person per night.
- Children are often exempt, typically under a set age, depending on the town.
- Day visitors may pay a lower rate or nothing, depending on the town and facility.
- Some towns charge different rates depending on the room price or facility type.
The tax is collected by the property, so it may be listed as a separate line at check-in or check-out even if you prepaid your room.
Is the onsen tax included in booking site prices?
Often not. International booking sites may show it as 'to be paid at the property' in the price details, or leave it out of the headline price. Japanese sites sometimes show it separately as well. It is small compared with the room rate, but it is good to know so the bill doesn't surprise you.
Free private baths: one less extra on the bill
32 of our 219 verified properties say their private baths are free for guests, and 107 sell rooms with their own open-air bath. Towns with the most free private baths: Kinosaki (11), Kusatsu (5), West Izu (3), Atami (2) and Shuzenji (2).
| In our verified data | Properties | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Free private baths | 32 | La Vista Kusatsu Hills, Hotel New Ohruri and Kikuya |
| Rooms with open-air bath | 107 | Hakone Kowaki Sono Tenyu, La Vista Kusatsu Hills and Odakyu Hotel Hatsuhana |
Counts from each property's official website, last checked 18 October 2026.
Accommodation taxes in some cities
Separately from the onsen tax, several cities and prefectures charge an accommodation tax (宿泊税) per person per night, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka and Kanazawa, and more places have introduced or announced one in recent years. Rates are usually tiered by the room price per person, and some places exempt the lowest price bands. Kyoto's tax is the one most likely to affect onsen travellers, at the ryokan of Arashiyama, Ohara and Kurama. Rates change, so check the city's current table before you travel.
Other things you may pay at the ryokan
| Item | Typical situation | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Private bath fee | Some inns charge per kashikiri slot. | Our listings show free or paid where stated. |
| Drinks with dinner | Beer, sake and soft drinks are usually extra. | Ask for the drinks menu; charges go on your room bill. |
| Service charge | Some upscale ryokan and hotels add one. | Check whether the price shown already includes it. |
| Upgrades and extras | Special dishes, anniversary cakes, massages. | Confirm prices when you order. |
| Pick-up or parking | Some inns charge for parking or transfers; many offer free pick-up. | Ask when booking. |
Consumption tax
Prices in Japan are generally shown including the 10% consumption tax, so it is rarely a surprise. Extras on your bill are normally tax-inclusive too.
A simple example bill
For two adults staying one night at an onsen ryokan in a town that charges the standard rate, the onsen tax would be ¥150 × 2 people × 1 night = ¥300. If the room is in a city with an accommodation tax, that is added per person per night according to the city's tiers. Drinks at dinner and any paid private-bath slot are then added to the bill. The numbers here are illustrative; check the rates for your town.
Children's rates at ryokan
Ryokan often price children by age group and by what they receive, such as meals and bedding. Typical categories are primary-school children, who may get a children's meal, and younger children, who may be charged a small fee for bedding only or nothing at all. The exact rules differ by property, so check the plan details or ask. Children are frequently exempt from the onsen tax, as noted above. See onsen with kids for more.
Cancellation fees
Japanese ryokan commonly charge cancellation fees that rise as the date approaches, often starting a few days before arrival and reaching the full price for same-day cancellations or no-shows. Each property and booking site sets its own terms, so read them before you book, especially for peak dates. Flexible rates may cost a little more but can be worth it when the weather or travel plans are uncertain.
Checklist before you check out
- Onsen tax per person per night (if not prepaid).
- Any accommodation tax for the city.
- Drinks, snacks from the in-room fridge and extras from dinner.
- Private-bath fees, if your inn charges them.
- Parking or transfer fees, if any.
How to pay at a ryokan
Many ryokan settle the bill at check-out, adding the onsen tax and any extras to a prepaid or pay-at-property room rate. Credit cards are widely accepted at larger properties, while some small inns and minshuku prefer cash, so carry some yen in rural towns. Tipping is not expected in Japan; good service is included.
Comparing prices fairly
- Compare the same room type: a room with its own open-air bath vs a standard room is a big difference.
- Compare the same meal plan: room only, breakfast, or dinner and breakfast (1泊2食).
- Check whether the price is per room or per person; Japanese sites often quote per person.
- Look for taxes and fees 'payable at the property', including the onsen tax.
- Read cancellation terms; ryokan cancellation fees often start several days before arrival.
Our listings link to Agoda, Trip.com and Booking.com so you can compare the same property. For meal plans, see our guide to booking a ryokan with dinner.
Why onsen towns charge a bathing tax
The onsen tax has a long history in Japan and is one of the few taxes visitors pay directly at a ryokan. Towns use it for things such as maintaining hot-spring sources, tourism infrastructure, environmental protection and public baths. In some towns it helps keep public bathhouses or footbaths running, which benefits visitors directly.
Onsen tax on Japanese booking sites
Japanese booking sites often show prices per person including consumption tax, with a note such as 入湯税別 (onsen tax not included) or 入湯税込 (included). If you see 別途 (separately), expect to pay that item at the property.
Deposits and prepayment
Some ryokan, particularly small inns, ask for a deposit or prepayment for peak dates, while others take a card guarantee and charge at check-out. International booking sites often offer both 'pay now' and 'pay at property' rates. If you pay at the property, the onsen tax and extras are added to the same bill; if you prepaid, expect a small separate payment for them.
Keep your receipt
Ryokan receipts usually list the room charge, onsen tax, any accommodation tax and extras separately. Keep it if you need to claim expenses, and check it against your booking before you leave.
Day-use visitors
At bathhouses and day-use private baths, the bathing tax, if any, is usually built into the entry or slot price. See day-use private onsen for places that rent private baths by the hour.
Related guides
Find a private onsen
Frequently asked questions
How much is the onsen tax in Japan?
The standard rate is ¥150 per person per day, but municipalities set their own rates and exemptions.
Do children pay the onsen tax?
Often not; many towns exempt children under a set age.
Is the onsen tax included in my booking?
Often not; it is usually collected at the property. Check the price details.
What is the difference between onsen tax and accommodation tax?
Onsen tax is charged for bathing in hot springs; accommodation tax is a separate city or prefectural tax on overnight stays in some places.
Should I tip at a ryokan?
No. Tipping is not expected in Japan.
Can I pay by card at a ryokan?
Usually at larger properties; carry cash for small rural inns.