Ban on tourist in Kyoto! Back in 2016 I was walking around Gion. Together with my Taiwanese friend. We met at the hostel we were working for in exchange for a stay. Suddenly a Maiko appears in front of us. Was a perfect picture. A movie-like moment. No kidding. I was just staring at this colorful doll walking Gion out of a book. She said, whispering: “We cannot take pictures of her. It’s disrespectful”. I did not even think about the picture. Even when I am an aficionado. I was lost in the scene. We were a couple of meters behind.
But suddenly a tourist started to record her. Right in front of the Maiko. Leaving just one meter margin, no more. It was terrible. I am not playing the moral high here. Wasn’t really worried about the Maiko. It was terrible to me. Ruined the moment for me. But the Maiko did not blink. Just keep his way another block to enter a Tea house. Back to her world.
The Gion district ban
Usually crowded with tourists Gion is a beautiful place to lose yourself in alleys from another time. it gives you that feeling of Japan that even other Japanese cities can’t. But Just a week ago signboards were placed at the entrance of Kosode Koji. The residents and Tea House of the alley are warning tourists not to enter. Not to take pictures. Fearing a ¥10,000 fine, for instance. “We are living our lives here in Gion. We are not an attraction. Littering and people surrounding a Maiko is not allowed”. Said Outa Isokazu, member of the council of Kosode Koji.
New bans! Halloween and Tokyo streets
Far away from Gion. In the Kanto region -yes, it seems it is far, far away. The municipal government of Shinjuku intends to submit a proposal for a ban on drinking on the streets and parks during the Halloween festivity. This is after the Shibuya ordinance of 2019. Really, the Halloween fest on the streets of Shibuya is an infamous time for Japanese people who never take part in it. Not because of tourists this time but mostly Japanese locals. But the Municipal government of the Shibuya special ward is trying to make this a permanent ban and not just on the Halloween weekend. Mostly have cited the tourist as a reason but not actually any official word on this. Officials submitted the proposal already.
Overtourism
The growth in the Tourism industry in Japan is seen as a new important pillar for the Japan economy in the last ten or so years. The growth was so huge that it even generated criticism to officials not ready to react to it. But Japan keeps sponsoring tourism as a new cornerstone of its economy. For instance the reality is conflicting with some municipal governments and residents alike.