Overtourism in Japan is becoming a serious problem. With tourists impacting the daily lives of the locals, the country is struggling with this large influx of people. Japan is a beautiful country with so much to see and do, it’s not hard to see why the country is seeing a record number of overseas visitors.
But with a record number of tourists, so also brings a record number of tourists, so also brings a record number of problems. In this list here, we’ll shed light on some of the issues impacting Japan, and some mitigations, and tips to make sure that you can still have a great time despite the overtourism issue.
The issues locals are facing
Overcrowding is one of the most pressing issues for some cities in Japan. Not only are they safety issues, but they can also impact the daily lives of those who live there.
In Kyoto, the locals are unable to ride the bus because there are so many tourists, so of which are lugging multplie large and bulky suitcases. To counter this, the city has had to put on a dedicated tourist bus, so that the locals can still get about their day.
In Fujikawaguchi, tourists were hoarding on, and obstructuing the roads to take a picture of the iconic Lawson convenience store with Mt. Fuji in the background. As a result, a large screen was installed blocking the scenic vista.
Also in Kyoto, tourists have been known to following Geisha and Maiko down private alleys, harassing them for photos. While Geisha and Maiko are stunning to see in person, it is important to remember that they are just normal people too – trying to get to and from work. Toursissts have been banned from certain streets in Kyoto because these Geisha and Maiko are simply trying to do about their business, and don’t need hundreds to toursists each day asking for photos, or taking photos of them without consent.
The Japanese locals are also having an issue with bad manners of the tourists. Japan is a place where rules and order are large parts of society. While tourists are not expected to assimilate into every aspect of Japanese culture the moment they step off the plane, they do ask that toursists try to follow and respect local customs where possible.
What you can do
Planning your trip
Go beyond the tourist areas – Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fujikawaguchi are some the busiest areas for tourists in Japan. These areas are definitely worth a visit for their own reasons, but there is so much beyond these areas worth seeing too. With the JR Pass, you can open so much more of the country to your travel. The JR Pass allow you unlimited travel on Japan Rail train lines around the country for a fixed period – allowing you to have the freedom to explore the whole country.
Use Luggage storage – Whether you are waiting to check in at your hotel, or you are out exploring a city, keeping your luggage away from you is key. Most major train stations will have luggage storage lockers where you can keep your luggage safe and secure, allowing you to explore unencumbered by luggage. This also helps to minimise the space you are taking up on public transport. You can also get luggage delivered from hotel to hotel with luggage delivery services.
Book your experinces in advance – Online reservations are becoming increasingly popular for tourists at attractions and experiences. Now, you can book pretty much everything, from castle tickets, to high speed train tickets. Booking your tickets in advance locks in your spot at a designed date or time, helping to reduce the load of staff or to distribute visitors throughout the day at a venue.
Manners
Be quiet in public spaces – Trains and other modes of public transport in Japan are often calming and relaxing environments. Even during rush hour, trains in Tokyo will be nearly void of conversation, or will only have hushed conversation.
Carry your garbage with you – Japan is devoid of public garbage cans. From public parks, to busy malls, garbage cans are pretty uncommon to come across. In order to keep the streets clean, the Japanese people will typically carry any trash with them, and dispose of it at home. As a tourist, we recommend keeping a small bag in your daypack that you can put any trash you might accumulate during the day, and then dispose of it back at your hotel.
Hold your backpack at your feet when on trains – On busy trains, you will often see many people take their backpacks off, and either hold them on the front, or by their feet. This is both to minimise the space taken up by a bag, and also to ensure that they don’t accidentally hit anyone with their bag as they move on the train. If you are on a crowded train with a bag, we simply recommend holding onto it by your feet.
Be respectful at shrines and temples – Shrines and temples are places of worship for those in Japan. Shrines for the Shinto faith, and temples for the Buddhist faith. While sights like Fushimi Inari Shrine, or Senso-ji Temple are stunning in their own right, they are still places where people visit to worship, pay their respects, pray etc. Despite the chaos of the crowds, these places are still sacred to many locals. When visiting shrines and temples, it’s important that you both respect the environment, the people, and the culture around you.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience.
Discover Japan like never before with the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), your ticket to seamless travel across the Japan. Unlock the full potential of Japan’s extensive rail network, renowned for its punctuality, comfort, and convenience. Read More…
Forget the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for every journey. The JR Pass offers exceptional value for money, available in flexible durations ranging from 7 to 21 days, allowing you to tailor your travel experience to suit your itinerary. Read More…
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