However, the charge I gave above was directly from the Pen reservations website, so it looks like 15.5% is a thing of the past. The Four Seasons has also gone to 15% for service, I just did a test booking for them.

Collusion in Japan? I am shocked, I tell you, shocked.

Taxes have not gone up in Japan although the tax on hotel rooms (and most everything) is scheduled to go from 5% to 8% next April 1.