Photo: kitzcorner/Shutterstock
Japan Raised Its Visa Fees for the First Time Since 1978. Here's Who Pays.
Japan just raised its visa fees for the first time since 1978, and the jump is steep: a single-entry visa climbs from ¥3,000 to ¥15,000, a 400 percent increase that takes effect for applications submitted July 1 onward.
Japan has become one of the world's most-visited destinations in recent years, with a record 42.6 million visitors in 2025. The government says the hike reflects decades of inflation and a weak yen, with the new revenue going toward managing the country's fast-growing foreign population.
Here's everything you need to know: who actually pays, how Japan plans to spend the money, and how the fee stacks up against other countries' tourist fees.
N E W S
Millions of Acres of New Zealand Public Land Could Soon Be Up for Sale
Photo: Jakub Maculewicz/Shutterstock
About a third of New Zealand, roughly 21 million acres, is public land: national parks, forest parks, coastal reserves, and more, all managed by the Department of Conservation since 1987.
A bill now moving through parliament could change that. The Conservation Amendment Bill, introduced in May, would make up to 60 percent of that land (about 12.4 million acres) eligible for sale or exchange. It's cleared its first reading and is open for public comment through July 2. Experts call it the most significant proposed shift to conservation law in decades.
S T A Y S
Where to Sleep, Splurge, and Save
No affiliate links. Just solid finds.
Photos: Sina Hotels; Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra; Edgar Bullon; Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line: 50% off all cruises for summer 2026, plus Kids Sail Free on select sailings.
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca: Newly opened on Mallorca's southwest coast near the Puerto Portals marina, this is Mandarin Oriental's first resort in the Balearic Islands.
The Sina Brufani, Italy: Perugia's first five-star hotel and still its most historic. Overlooking the medieval center and Umbria's green valleys, it’s within walking distance to the cathedral, the Fontana Maggiore, and the shops along Corso Vannucci.
Ocean Village, Tofino, Vancouver Island: Book three-plus nights July 1–10 for 15% off a stay on the coast.
T O M O R R O W
How To Travel To Italy With Miles and Points
WHEN: JUNE 25, 2026, 3:00 PM ET
Daily Drop is hosting a live class on planning an Italian getaway using miles, points, and a few well-kept deal-finding secrets. Across one session, they'll cover:
The best airlines and routes to reach Italy on points
How to find award availability, even in peak season
Hotel sweet spots in Rome, Venice, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, and beyond
Which transferable points stretch furthest for Italy
Real booking examples you can copy the same day
S T U D I O S
The Diver Who Befriended a 15-Foot Tiger Shark
More than 20 years ago, conservationist and diver Jim Abernethy pulled a fishing hook from the jaws of a tiger shark and discovered something no one expected: an affectionate side to one of the ocean's most feared predators.
This short film follows Abernethy’s unlikely bond with a 15-foot apex predator named Emma, and his mission to dismantle the myth that these animals are mindless killers. It's worth the watch.
S T A Y S
In Paris, a 5-Star Hotel Holds a Hidden Fashion History
Photo: Marriott Champs-Elysees Paris
The Paris Marriott Champs-Élysées occupies a building more than a century old, with a late Art Nouveau facade now protected as a historic monument. Behind it sits a fashion-world history most guests never hear about.
S U R V E Y
The Best Wellness Destination of 2026
We're collecting nominations for the best wellness destinations of 2026: places rooted in tradition, surrounded by nature, and built around experiences that leave you feeling different and more refreshed than when you arrived.
Travel Well
The Matador Editorial Team
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