It’s been a year and a half since Japan reopened its borders in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and many foreign tourists have returned to the Land of the Rising Sun. More than 25 million tourists will visit Japan in 2023, and nearly 5.5 million people visited Japan in the first two months of 2024 alone, a 7 percent increase over the same period in 2019.
Japan is currently taking steps to combat unscrupulous tourist behavior and overtourism, including banning tourists from some streets in Kyoto’s popular red-light district and limiting the number of trekkers allowed to climb Mt. Fuji, the country’s highest peak. is putting together a new plan to address the issue.
Kyoto City to restrict tourist access to Gion area
Restrictions on Kyoto’s Gion neighborhood, where traditional geishas and their maiko (teenage apprentices) work, are scheduled to go into effect this spring. The area has long attracted tourists hoping to catch a glimpse and take photos of performers wandering from teahouse to teahouse wearing elaborate kimonos, traditional hairpins, and distinctive white makeup. Ta. Over the years, there have been reports of overzealous tourists harassing women and trespassing on private property, despite signs warning people not to take photos of performers without permission. Ta.
In Kyoto’s Gion district, travelers can still access popular attractions such as the 1,300-year-old Yasaka Shrine.
Photo by Ceci Li/Unsplash
“We plan to put up signs in April to tell tourists not to enter the private road,” Isoichi Ota, a local district official, told The Associated Press. Signs say in both Japanese and English that these are private roads and that walking on them will result in a 10,000 yen ($68 based on current conversation rate) fine.
It is worth noting that this ban is limited to certain private roads in Gion. Travelers can walk the public roads and visit popular tourist spots such as the 1,300-year-old Yasaka Shrine and the scenic Tatsumi Bridge.
There have been reports of tourists harassing traditional geishas and entering private property in Kyoto’s popular Gion district.
Photo by Andre Benz/Unsplash
Mt. Fuji tolls, daily climbers restricted, new fences to prevent crowding nearby
Mount Fuji, 150 miles from Kyoto, is not completely closed off to tourists, but the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site has set a daily visitor limit of 4,000 people and does not allow climbers to climb the mountain. They are charging 2,000 yen (US$13.50 based on current exchange rates) for the occasion. Trek to the snow-capped summit of a 12,388-foot stratovolcano. The new rules will apply from July 1, 2024, when the trekking season begins.
In recent years, more than 400,000 people have climbed Mount Fuji during the last two months of summer, when climbing is permitted. This corresponds to about 7,000 people per day, but even more people hiking to lower the altitude of Mt. (visited by millions of visitors). The result is human traffic congestion and trash problems, both of which pose environmental concerns to the volcano, which is sacred to many Japanese. The visitor cap and additional fees are intended to reduce the burden on Mt. Fuji and help keep it clean. Additionally, the funds will help prevent ill-equipped hikers from wearing the wrong clothing and footwear, prohibit sleeping and starting fires on the side of trails, and educate climbers about mountains in general. Used to hire guides to take safety measures such as: (In 2023 alone, 61 calls for his rescue were made by unprepared climbers).
Starting this summer, Mount Fuji will limit the number of visitors per day to 4,000.
Photo credit: simpletun/Shutterstock
Additionally, in the nearby town of Fujikawaguchiko, the Japan Times reported that a black fence has been erected to block the view of Mt. Fuji from the Lawson convenience store. It is a popular spot where you can take photos of the famous mountain that towers behind the store. As a result, authorities are reportedly installing nets 8 feet high and 65 feet long.
An official from Fujikawaguchiko Town was quoted by The Japan Times as saying, “It’s unfortunate that we have to do something like this because there are tourists who don’t follow the rules.” Problems include leaving trash behind and visitors not following traffic rules.
Japan is restricting visitors to Gion and Mount Fuji, but is rolling out its welcome mat for foreigners in other ways. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency recently announced plans to issue six-month digital nomad visas to citizens of 49 countries, including the United States, extending the previous 90-day limit. The program is expected to launch by the end of March.
