Kyoto (Kyodo) -- 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.

Under the planned system, the rates will be split into five tiers and guests will pay 200 yen per person for rooms costing less than 6,000 yen.

The city will collect 400 yen for accommodations priced 6,000 yen or higher but under 20,000 yen per night, 1,000 yen for stays costing 20,000 yen or more but below 50,000 yen, and 4,000 yen for rooms from 50,000 yen to below 100,000 yen. The highest tax rate of 10,000 yen will apply to accommodations costing 100,000 yen or more per night.

The higher rates are estimated to increase the city's lodging tax revenue to about 12.6 billion yen a year from 5.2 billion yen in fiscal 2023. The city said it will use the increased income to implement measures to support the tourism industry and improve disaster preparedness for both tourists and residents.

According to the ministry, a lodging tax has so far been introduced in 11 municipalities in Japan. Among those applying a flat rate, Hokkaido's Kutchan, home to the popular Niseko ski resort, charges 2 percent.