Japan's Popular Destinations Limit Visitors to Tackle Unruly Tourist Behavior

Since reopening its borders post-COVID-19, Japan has welcomed a surge of international travelers. In 2023, over 25 million visitors flocked to the country, with nearly 5.5 million arriving in the first two months of 2024 alone, surpassing the same period in 2019 by 7 percent.

Japan is now implementing strategies to address issues related to disruptive tourist conduct and overtourism. These include restricting access to certain streets in Kyoto's renowned geisha district and capping the number of climbers allowed on Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak.

Kyoto to impose restrictions on tourists in the Gion district

The new regulations for Kyoto's Gion area, home to traditional geisha and their maiko (apprentices), are set to take effect this spring. This district has long attracted tourists eager to glimpse and photograph the performers adorned in intricate kimonos, traditional hair ornaments, and distinctive white makeup as they move between teahouses. However, there have been numerous instances of tourists intruding on private property and harassing these women, despite clear signs prohibiting photography without permission.

District official Isokazu Ota shared with the Associated Press, “We plan to erect signs in April instructing tourists to avoid our private streets.” The signs will be displayed in both Japanese and English, warning that anyone who walks on these roads will face a fine of 10,000 yen (approximately US$68 based on current exchange rates).

It is important to clarify that the restrictions only apply to certain private streets in Gion; visitors can still stroll along public roads to reach popular sites like the 1,300-year-old Yasaka Shrine and the scenic Tatsumi Bridge.

Mount Fuji will implement a fee and limit the number of daily climbers, while a new barrier will manage crowds nearby.

Located 150 miles from Kyoto, Mount Fuji isn't outright banning tourists, but the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site will impose a daily limit of 4,000 visitors and charge climbers 2,000 yen (approximately US$10 at current exchange rates) for the chance to reach the summit of the 12,388-foot snow-capped volcano. These new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2024, coinciding with the start of the trekking season.

In recent years, over 400,000 individuals have climbed Mount Fuji during the two-month summer window when it's accessible, averaging around 7,000 climbers daily. This figure does not account for those hiking to lower elevations; the largest base station, Subaru, recorded 4 million visitors in summer 2023. The result has been traffic jams and littering, raising environmental concerns for the volcano that holds sacred significance for many in Japan. The visitor cap and additional fee aim to alleviate pressure on Mount Fuji and maintain its cleanliness. Moreover, the revenue will be allocated to hire guides who will enforce safety regulations, such as preventing unprepared hikers from wearing inappropriate gear, banning camping along the trails, and educating climbers about proper mountain etiquette (61 rescue calls were made in 2023 alone due to ill-prepared trekkers).

In the nearby town of Fujikawaguchiko, a black barrier is being erected to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji from a Lawson convenience store, as reported by the Japan Times. This location has become a popular spot for capturing photos of the iconic mountain rising behind the store. As a result, authorities are installing a net that will stand 8 feet tall and stretch 65 feet long.

An official from Fujikawaguchiko was quoted in the Japan Times, expressing regret over the need for this measure due to some tourists failing to follow rules. There have been ongoing problems with littering and disregard for traffic regulations.

While Japan is restricting access to areas like Gion and Mount Fuji, the country is also making efforts to attract foreign visitors. Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has recently announced plans to offer six-month digital nomad visas to citizens from 49 countries, including the United States, increasing the previous limit of 90 days. This program is expected to launch by the end of March.