Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto is banning tourists from certain historic areas to limit crowds and protect its geisha population.
Not a theme park
Like some Italian destinations, rich in history and with artefacts on the streets, Kyoto has already had to warn tourists it is a real place, not a theme park. The city, where visitors flock to see “old Japan” in the form of charming gardens, intricate alleyways, teahouses and temples, is now taking a harder stance:attempting to prevent tourist groups from accessing a number of private streets in the Gion district, well-known for its geishas.
In Gion, geisha and their maiko apprentices can be found training, dancing to music and performing in full white make-up and wearing traditional kimonos with elaborate hair ornaments. As a result of the spectacle, the area’s streets attract many visitors who hope to glimpse the geishas and take photographs of them.
But the attraction is becoming a problem.
Overtourism and anti-social behaviour
In 2023 international visitors to Japan increased to 22 million, but still numbered 9 million short of 2019 record (31 million). Nonetheless, the country is experiencing overtourism at some sites. It has taken action, imposing tourist fees at Mount Fuji and at the iconic red “floating” Torii gate at ItsukishimaShrine.
In Kyoto however, where tourists have been known to mob geishas, pulling at their hairpieces and outfits and even stubbing out cigarettes on them, the approach will be more drastic: to prohibit tourists from accessing part of the city’s historic district altogether, starting later this spring.
We are going to put up signs in April that tell tourists to stay out of our private streets.
Local official Isokazu Ota told the Associated Press
Kyoto’s public streets meanwhile will remain open to all.
Will it change behaviour?
Whether the signs have any legal weight is a matter for debate. Previous attempts to moderate tourist behaviour in Kyoto have included public awareness campaigns, urging tourists to gain consent before taking any pictures, as well as warning signs, for example prohibiting photography and notifying tourists of the risk of on-the-spot fines for non-compliance of ¥10,000(around 61 euros). These have largely been ignored.
An alternative way to influence tourist behaviour is shaming on social media. In Berlin, where selfies are often frowned upon, one blogger has begun a series called “Yolocaust”, exposing tourists who take unself-aware photos at holocaust memorial sites and only removing the image from publication if the guilty party takes the time to contact him.
Elsewhere, in Venice, a group of tourists who refused to stop taking selfies on a gondola found themselves – and their phone cameras – tipped into the water.
