about Japan's 'over-tourism'

Japan has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world - and for good reason! But as numbers continue to grow, so do the impacts of tourism on Japan. With certain spots becoming overrun by or outright banned to tourists, yet the Japanese government insisting on doubling current inbound tourists numbers within the next 5 years, what does the future of tourism look like in Japan??

Let me know your thoughts on this topic in the comments below!

Videos I found useful around the narrative of over-tourism in Japan:

[matten_zero]

As someone who has loved Japan for 20+ years, it pains me to see casuals ruin such a fantastic country.

[simi]

I visited Japan for the first time in 2019 (Tokyo and Kyoto) and found 99% of Japanese people I've interacted with ultra friendly and accommodating. We did make a point to stick to 'touristy places' because there was no way to in the short term learn sufficient Japanese to be able to navigate the non-English-accommodating 'lesser known' spots of Japan. We learned enough phrases to be able to ask for the way, for an English menu, for prices of things, say where we need to go, and of course our polite hellos and thank yous. A thing we always do wherever we travel. But we knew that this most likely wouldn't suffice for less touristy spots, so we stayed clear of those.

Btw. our own native language also isn't English. It's not like we expect anyone in Japan to speak our language. It's just a fact that it's hard if you have no common language to communicate in. Between the two of us traveling, we could have offered German, French, Spanish, Hindi, Marathi or English, but alas, no Japanese. So that's why we felt it was safest to stick to spots that are used to tourists.

That being said, I do understand and accept why certain touristy place are now choosing to restrict tourist access to certain areas. We went to Kyoto in fall (big recommend, it was BEAUTIFUL), but it was already insanely crowded. Masses and masses of tourists (mostly Chinese around that time). And yes, some people seem to forget that a city no matter how historic or beautiful is not a theme park but a place where actual real people live and are trying to go on about their lives calmly and efficiently.

And yes, if people disrupt the locals' life in a significant way, then I find it just fair to at least protect those people's private areas (like those private streets). I hear some tourists not only blocked locals' way but also attempted to touch their hair and traditional attire. That's just harassment at this point. It's sad, but I absolutely understand why the locals don't want that and put an end to it.

As far as I gather there are still enough great views to see for tourists, so I think there's no issue here.

In the long run if tourism is increasing for those places like it is I think it would also be fair to raise daily tourism fees/taxes for people visiting a place (as did Venice recently, but lots of places around the world raise a tourism tax generally per night you stay as a tourist in a hotel). Also higher entrance fees to sights for non-locals are a common thing all around the world. It helps value a place if it doesn't come all for free to see it, but also it enables a city to raise a fund for additional cleaning and repairs of damages and littering caused by tourism.

[Yea_Nar_Nah_Yea]

I'm a Japanese guy, and in my opinion, Japanese society and city systems are based on just Japanese behavior.
Like there are no bins in the city, many roads are not separated by footpaths, etc...
If the Japanese government wants to build up the tourism industry they must manage good systems, and services for everyone even for NON-JAPANESE PPL.
They have to understand well, human behavior is not the same everywhere

[Shunoski]

I live in the very touristy place in Tokyo and honestly most of tourists I see are respectful. I don’t want to give a specific name of country, but… some people from mainland China tend to behave badly and make bad impressions of other travelers.

[toshinorinakamura]

I am Japanese, but I feel that highly civic-minded tourists of Western descent visit Japan for sightseeing, having thoroughly researched and understood Japanese rules and morals in advance and observing moderation.
However, tourists from several anti-Japanese Asian countries do not change their own values and lifestyles, but rather visit Japan as they please with their own faces.
Some of them consider causing trouble in Japan as “patriotic innocence” as a way of getting back at history.
I sometimes feel that if they don't like Japan, they should not come to Japan!

[yamayan]

一番嫌な思いをするのは正直、アジアの大きい国の方々です。

結構、恐怖を感じます。

[stuff]

Hi, My son and I will be visiting Japan this October for the first time. I get the over tourism thing but we intend to see as much as we can without being a nuisance to local Japanese people.
We totally respect the culture and are making an effort to learn some phrases and learn from experiences shared by you and other good you tubers.
We are from Wales in the UK and it would be great if parents and schools adopted some of the Japanese culture to teach children to be respectful and tolerant. There is litter everywhere here it's disgusting and the anti social behaviour is unacceptable.
Our language is rarely used which is a real shame.
We can't wait to visit Japan and are so looking forward to the experience.😊

[miamiam]

Sunny, this is a great video as always. As Japanese who lives in the US for long time, I am more like 'foreign tourist' every time I go home. As you mention, Japanese people love tourists. But they want them to respect the culture. At least tourists who come to Japan should know minimum Japanese languages and UNSPOKEN ROLES. I'll say this again, Japanese people don't mind to have tourists IF they respect local and places. You would not act like an idiot when you are invited by your friend's house, wouldn't you? RESPECT others!!! Thanks for sharing this video 💓

[thelastdefenderofcamelot]

The problem will become worse for foreigners as more and more people begin to choose Japan over other travel destination. When the foreigner to Japanese ratio becomes like 10 to 1 in some places, the foreigners visiting there will be shocked to see too many foreigners and no Japanese people around so sometimes things will not go according tor your plans.

[YUKAKOYOSHIDA]

Great video! This encouraged me to make more videos about showing country side in Japan 🇯🇵

[janseger]

thanx for bringing up this topic. I have been to and around most of Japan. and It´s one truly amazing country.I am from Sweden. but had for a long time a passion about Japan and Japanese culture .First time to visit was during golden week back in 2001. It was so crowded but other than that so amazing. For first timers to japan. please read up a little before you arrive.And if you can get in touch with someone living in Japan. lastly it´s sad when it gets out of control, I think most people visiting Japan have no reason to litter or destroy sights in Japan. Sadly this is not a problem for only Japan. So please keep an open mind and show respect to all people. lastly thanx, and please keep those videos of yours coming.

[wendyforsey]

My husband and I have been visiting Japan for 9 years. Being retired we stay for 5 to 7 weeks at a time and usually in 2 to 4 locations. We would not be able to stay this long in hotels and eating at restaurants from both a financial and digestive point of view, so we mostly stay in flats or houses. This year we visted Shikoku for the first time and had a great time. We would like to visit other areas of Japan outside of the typical ones, but accomodation (or the lack thereof) is a major problem for us. There just does not seem to be short term (1 to 3 week) accomodation available; at least not that we have been able to find. For example we would like to spend a week or 2 in Sendai, but there just isn't any suitable accomodation.

[inodesnet]

This is such a great topic and well approached. I have a strong personal opinion on this. I have been travelling to Japan frequently over the past two decades and have seen a drastic difference. My wife is Japanese, and my 3 children are Australian-Japanese. We have spent long periods in Japan, living there part time. We speak Japanese and understand the culture and the impact of over tourism on certain areas of Japan.

As an Australian who is well travelled in Japan, I strongly advocate for tourists to visit towns and cities outside Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Actually, some of my best Japanese experiences have been outside these three major cities, and some of my worst travel experiences have been in these cities.

Tokyo is so large, that it can easily absorb the increase in tourism. Kyoto absolutely cannot. Sadly, this has meant that I no longer visit Kyoto when I am travelling and tourists that visit today, no longer experience the once quiet and serene Kyoto of years past.

But that's okay. Kyoto is a city which offers a wide range of cultural experiences and that is its draw card. That said, there are other cities that will have a better version of what Kyoto offers, elsewhere. Kyoto might have Nijo Castle for example, but most other castles are better. Kyoto offers nice temples and gardens but the best ones are not in Kyoto (e.g. Kenroku-en in Kanazawa).
Kyoto to Japan is really like Venice is to Italy. Overrun and the locals also suffer.

There are areas of Japan outside the three main areas that could benefit from increased tourism. The Tohoku region for example, only caters for < 1% of all Japanese tourism, and that is primarily from Japanese locals.

Now here is the

The absolutely best way to encourage tourism to be broad across Japan **IS** the Japan Rail Pass.
.... okay, I need a correction.

The absolute best way to encourage tourism to be broad across Japan **WAS** the Japan Rail Pass.
Sadly, with the massive increase of the Japan Rail Pass, Japanese tourism will increase, but the problem in the major areas will be exaggerated.
(The increase was equivalent of the inflation between 1978 and 2024 - a serious price gouge). And many Japanese will simply say (a) the price was unfair to Japanese locals and (b) that American tourists can obviously pay the price.
(this misses the whole and the fact that American tourists are not representative of all tourists).

I have spoke to many tourists since the change. Tourist were venturing out using the pass to move away from major centres. But this is no longer seeming to be the case. This also has another side effect of decreasing the number of days that foreign tourists travel to Japan.

In the past, some might consider 3 weeks and use a 3 week Rail Pass to travel on itineraries such as those recommended by Japan-guide.com. This includes areas such as Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Takayama, Okayama. But tourists are striking day trips and region trips off their itineraries because the purchase of individual tickets may be seen as time consuming or no longer affordable.
Some will fly between cities instead of taking the Shinkansen as well.

I feel the increase in the Japan Rail Pass is a knee jerk reaction to over tourism and is an attempt by JR to cash in on the weak Japanese Yen.
It is a complete failure and I hope Japan Rail's marketing department comes to realise this.

I think a solution to over tourism using the Japan Rail Pass could be something similar to this (I have thought about this ever since the Japan Rail Pass increase):

1. Reduce the Japan Rail Pass almost to the old price
2a. Put a surcharge on the Osaka-Tokyo portion - which would encourage tourists to take the northern route via Toyama and Kanazawa. Benefit: The main line is able to be used again by Japanese who need availability for business between Osaka and Tokyo.
2b. Put a surcharge on any trips to and from Kyoto. Benefit: Reduce travel to Kyoto and/or discourage it as a Kansai base.
3. Allow people who have travelled to and spent extended period of time in areas needing tourism (e.g. Tohoku, Shikoku, Kyushu), to offset the Osaka-Tokyo portion. Benefit: By giving a credit to offset a surcharge above, it would encourage people to think about other areas of Japan.

The suggestion here is to encourage tourists to come for longer periods, but spend their time in areas that suffer from under-tourism rather than over-tourism.
This would be better for Japan as a whole.

[karyuu]

Thank you for this video~ I've been dreaming of going since I was in my teens and will finally have a chance this Autumn season. Can't wait to discover all the hole in the wall shops run by the locals and learning more about the culture.

[SAKURA_KIRAKIRA]

日本の国土は広くはありません。

ちなみに、ゴミではく分別をすれば資源です。

ルールを守れないなら来ないでください。

[qtdcanada]

From my personal experience, Japanese people by and large are very polite and accommodating to visitors! Unfortunately, as the number of tourists to Japan increases, there is invariably a (very?) small percentage who don't necessarily appreciate this hospitality and/or behave boorishly. It is not too much for Kyoto city government to ask for tourists not to take pictures of geisha and respect their privacy, but these kinds of tourists don't care, unfortunately!

[shinjitakano]

いつも新規投稿心待ちにしております！
今日も満喫出来ました！
次回作も楽しみに待ってま〜す！！

[wontondestructxn]

My spouse is Japanese, so we visit every year. We were there earlier this month. I was hoping to travel to Osaka from Tokyo. I'm so used to rocking up to the station and buying a Shinkansen ticket for travel the same day, but this time I couldn't find a reserved seat for a 3 day window. We'll probably try avoiding Sakura season going forward.

[JB-czkw]

Great video and great discussion points! As an American couple moving to Kanazawa soon, we’re very keen on trying to be the best representatives in our daily habits and relationships. I know that may be different from a tourist perspective no doubt… but we do love you pointing out supporting local eateries, shops, and hole in the wall izakaya’s. Great channel as we prep for our transition and great topic, Cheers!

[ngcharlotte]

as someone who has been wanting to visit japan for years, i finally got the opportunity to do so!
while planning my 2 week itinerary, i decided i definitely want to hit the main touristy spots (tokyo/osaka/kyoto) to see what the hype is about, and i'm pretty sure many first-timers want to visit these spots too ☺️
although these popular tourist spots are overcrowded, that doesn't deter me from going as i feel these are places i really want to experience!
there are many other beautiful places in japan that have been promoted on social media, but these places are usually pretty far out and may require a day trip or overnight stay for you to properly enjoy them 😓 however, i personally would give these places a chance if i do decide to visit japan again ❤️