Overtourism in Japan has led the locals to coin a new phrase: kankō kōgai, or tourism pollution.” ~ Alyse.

What has caused overtourism in Japan? How has it affected the local way of life?

Let’s talk about an elephant in the room. Lately I’ve been questioning if people are beginning to travel backwards… By backwards I mean, would you visit a place to “say you’ve been” without actually knowing what’s there? Are you happy to be blissfully unaware of a culture different to your own? Unfamiliar with the awe-inspiring things to see and do at your destination?

Well, many travellers to Japan seem to be planning their travels this way. After all, Japan seems to be THE destination of the moment! You just need to take a look at the images floating around on social media platforms to see this and the hype this creates, urging more people to visit.

I first published this article in June 2018 before other major publications caught on to this worrying trend, and have updated it since. The issues I discuss below are not exclusive to the Land of the Rising Sun, but I wanted to highlight some major changes to tourism in Japan I’ve seen in recent years. We need more visitors to understand how to avoid looking like a tourist. If you’re interested in learning how tourism pollution is affecting Japan, read on for more! This article about overtourism in Japan will cover: Why visit Japan?

Concerns about overtourism in Japan

Examples of tourism pollution in Japan Overtourism in Kyoto Overtourism in other areas of Japan

Why be a sustainable traveller: The bigger picture

Ways to avoid contributing to overtourism in Japan

Why visit Japan?

Lately I’ve noticed a disturbing trend sweeping online travel groups and forums: People are booking flights to Japan unaware of exactly WHY they want to go.

Questions popping up in these groups more frequently include “Booked tickets! What things can I do there?” and “Going next week, what cities do I visit?” and this has me quite concerned. It seems a bit backwards, considering the things to do and places to stay would normally be the huge drawcards to a destination.

I’m aware this is going to sound ironic coming from someone who shares itineraries to help others travel, but I do worry about overtourism in Japan. The issue here is if these spontaneous ticket-bookers aren’t aware of simplistic things like attractions to see at their destination but are just going to say “I’ve been there!”, how can they be expected to know (or care) about more complex behaviours like customs and etiquette in a country that hold these things so dear?

Concerns about overtourism in Japan Overtourism in Japan has led the locals to coin a new phrase: kankō kōgai, or tourism pollution. This revelation spills over into me asking more questions: Will Tokyo be the next Rome? Streets littered with rubbish and noisy tourists drowning out the local culture? A false backdrop to the famous buildings and structures that proudly adorn the streets and alleyways as a marker to their ancestors’ ingenuity, power and successes? Will Kyoto be the next Taj Mahal? The peace and tranquility of this 17th century wonder stomped out by the busy hustle and bustle of large groups of people, the serenity and ambiance punctured by selfie-sticks?

READ MORE:

It is no secret that Japan is a fiercely mono-ethnic nation, with incredibly low levels of immigration and external cultural influence. In response to an ageing population they are planning to use robots to fulfil the gaps in the labour market, not by bringing in outsiders.

Whether you agree or disagree with this general sentiment is not relevant, we can all agree on the fact that Japan has an extremely unique and rich cultural heritage and they are in no hurry to water this down, or blend it in any way.

It is also obvious that tourists are fascinated by this culture (despite not having much of an understanding about it) and are flocking to the island nation in their millions. Just in the past 3 years tourism to Japan has increased by 21% against a baseline 1% for Europe, for instance.

By 2020, the Japanese government hopes to welcome 40 million visitors for the Tokyo Olympics – that’s over one-quarter more tourists than the 28 million that visited the island nation in 2017 alone.

From what I can see Japan doesn’t need more tourists, it needs more mindful tourists.

Examples of tourism pollution in Japan With the recent influx of visitors to Japan, it’s becoming clear that a majority of tourists have no idea or respect for the local customs. It seems many issues stem from tourists being disrespectful in order to gain validation on social media, which is contributing to serious issues such as tourism pollution. For instance, here’s some recent negative impacts of tourism in Japan: Overtourism in Kyoto Maiko (geishas in training) are being harassed by tourists for selfies whilst they’re on their way to work, leaving them in tears.

The wonderful Bamboo Groves in Arashiyama, a UNESCO World Heritage site, have been defaced by tourists etching their names into the bamboo, much like leaving their mark akin to love locks in Paris.

Restaurant owners have been left disappointed and annoyed with social media hype. Inconsiderate tourists are walking into restaurants just to take photos to post online, then leaving without ordering anything.

Busloads of tourists have been visiting Kyoto only for a day trip. On my recent trip to Japan, I noticed these twelve coaches parked in the image below near the small paved street of Sannenzaka. There is enough parking here for 42 coaches, so of we say 42 coaches times 50 people in each = 2,100 day trippers crammed into this relatively compact area of Kyoto at any given time (and that’s not including the spaces for regular cars). These centuries-old streets were not designed to cope with that many people at once. Tourists were too busy trying to shuffle past one another that no one was venturing into the local businesses lined along the street. Another controversial event currently happening in Kyoto is the building of the large hotel chain, Park Hyatt, suites in this area. There will be 70 rooms available from December 2019. During cherry blossom season, these rooms with a view over Gion will start from USD 2,000 per night. Sure, this is creating local construction jobs and at least the suites are trying to keep in with the traditional buildings surrounding them. But, can this area handle even more tourists? Overtourism issues in other areas of Japan Tourists end up nursing wounds from disgruntled sacred deer in locations like Nara and Miyajima from taunting them with food in order to get a selfie with them, as well as leaving foodscraps lying around that can make deer sick. One deer was found dead with four kilograms of plastic in its stomach.

and from taunting them with food in order to get a selfie with them, as well as leaving foodscraps lying around that can make deer sick. One deer was found dead with four kilograms of plastic in its stomach. In Biei, Hokkaido, tourists have been trespassing on farmland and trampling on crops to get Instagram-worthy photos. One such popular spot was the famous Philosophy Tree. In an effort to deter tourists from trespassing on his property, one farmer was forced to cut down the tree in 2016. This hasn’t stopped tourists from trespassing on farmland to find it, however. Sometimes, farmers cannot use their tractors in the farming lanes due to illegally parked tourist cars. In June 2018, the Japanese government resorted to tightly clamping down on illegal Airbnb and similar homestay accommodations or “minpaku” across the country in response to an overwhelming number of complaints. These new laws aim to help ease the negative impacts on communities from the hoards of tourists disturbing locals at all hours in unregulated accommodation in unzoned areas.

In Kamakura , one of the more popular day trips from Tokyo, about 50,000 – 60,000 tourists would visit Konmachi-dori shopping street each day (it’s only 350 metres long!) This led to crammed people eating and walking on the streets (a cultural faux pas Japan), leaving rubbish behind. Large tour buses would arrive at the Great Buddha, creating huge crowds and the local infrastructure such as the electric railway was struggling to cope. I leant this during my Kamakura day trip with a local guide.

, one of the more popular day trips from Tokyo, about 50,000 – 60,000 tourists would visit Konmachi-dori shopping street each day (it’s only 350 metres long!) This led to crammed people eating and walking on the streets (a cultural faux pas Japan), leaving rubbish behind. Large tour buses would arrive at the Great Buddha, creating huge crowds and the local infrastructure such as the electric railway was struggling to cope. I leant this during my Kamakura day trip with a local guide. In Nagasaki , the priest of Watatsumi Shrine had become so fed up with the sharp increase in vandalism, theft of precious talismens and overall disrespectful behaviour, he announced a blanket ban on all foreign tourists. Receiving 30-40 large tour buses each day meant the priest was also subjected to aggression from tour guides when he asked large groups to not to block the sacred entryway for local worshippers.

, the priest of Watatsumi Shrine had become so fed up with the sharp increase in vandalism, theft of precious talismens and overall disrespectful behaviour, he announced a blanket ban on all foreign tourists. Receiving 30-40 large tour buses each day meant the priest was also subjected to aggression from tour guides when he asked large groups to not to block the sacred entryway for local worshippers. At Shirakawa-go , another UNESCO World Heritage site, illegal parking in the small and remote village has increased rapidly recently due to increasing tourist numbers.

, another UNESCO World Heritage site, illegal parking in the small and remote village has increased rapidly recently due to increasing tourist numbers. Overall throughout Japan , there has also been a boom in young tourists from Asia visiting locations featured in popular anime, wanting to capture shots for themselves.

, there has also been a boom in young tourists from Asia visiting locations featured in popular anime, wanting to capture shots for themselves. At one of Japan’s most visited attractions and another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Grand Torii gate at Miyajima (pictured in the tweet below), is coming under threat. Tourists have been ramming coins into cracks forming in the timber for good luck, which over time will expand and compromise the stability of the structure. As of June 2019, the Torii will be under renovation work to repaint and repair the damage. 鳥居が倒壊する、おそれがあるので…RTwitterお願いします(^_^;)厳島に呼ばれた意味が、わかりました(^_^;)この硬貨をみてください(^_^;)ヒビにいれたら…サラにヒビがはいり…最悪倒壊します(^_^;)世界遺産の鳥居がなくなったらイヤになりますよ(^_^;)神社は、テーマパークでは、ありませんよ(^_^;) pic.twitter.com/JEC4jNLG1o — 氣功師 黄龍 龍水 (@riyusuisuiriyu) February 3, 2018

Seriously. Rude much.

I could go on and on but by now I’m sure you understand what I’m getting at here. It is SO crucial to know the do’s and don’ts when visiting Japan to avoid contributing to the above problems.

What on Earth are these tourists doing except destroying the very things they love? Do they not realise their individual actions do have a huge impact?

READ MORE:

Why be a sustainable traveller: The bigger picture

Some people understand and respect the need to maintain the natural beauty of locations. This is why we have seen such a surge in eco-tourism in recent years. But what about the beauty and significance of the culture of a location? Have we been thinking enough about the impact that tourism has on this? If we don’t, we run the risk of destroying the very reason people will want to visit (a direct parallel to the perils that eco-tourism strives to avoid).

This insight that I’ve had – that respecting cultural customs, peoples and communities, and in essence behaving like an “Invisible Tourist”, was one of the main drivers behind me starting this blog. Seeing what is happening in Japan is heartbreaking, as the Japanese have the highest level of respect towards one another and the natural world. Respect is beautifully intertwined within all aspects of their lives.

READ MORE:

As a child I remember learning, “look but don’t touch” when exploring ancient stalagmites in a cave. “But Dad, what does it matter if I just touch it once?” I recall asking. “If everyone did that, there would be no stalagmite for you to look at now” he replied.

This is a lesson I have tried to apply to the way we approach tourism in general – blend in, show respect, learn their language (to the extent you can) and understand the way the people there live. If you do that, you won’t destroy it for the next generation.

This why I am super passionate about being “invisible” and encouraging others to do so, much like the “Leave No Trace” ethics that promote conservation when travelling outdoors. I’ve even dedicated an entire article about how we can still travel and avoid contributing to overtourism issues to try and help spread the word about sustainable travel.

As a travel writer, I strive to not be seen as part of the problem but as part of the solution to this recent “look at me” craze that’s sweeping the internet regarding travel (if you’re observant you may have noticed there’s no photos of me on my blog or related social media). Travel should be about the experiences, not about the individual.

Ways to avoid contributing to overtourism in Japan

I’m in no way suggesting that everyone should just stay home and never bother seeing our wonderful world, as this will not really benefit anyone. We can, however, be more mindful about how (and why) we travel and try to do our absolute best to minimise our tourist footprint on local communities of the places we visit. Here’s a few ways: Just be prepared and research , research, research! Know what vibrant cities there are to visit at your destination and how to get around in each. The cheapest option may not be the most sustainable option.

, research, research! Know what vibrant cities there are to visit at your destination and how to get around in each. The cheapest option may not be the most sustainable option. Learn about expectations regarding local Japanese etiquette and the significance of attractions to make your visit a more meaningful one. There isn’t much point getting a photo at a temple if you don’t know much about its history and why it’s an important part of Japanese culture.

to make your visit a more meaningful one. There isn’t much point getting a photo at a temple if you don’t know much about its history and why it’s an important part of Japanese culture. Get out of the main touristy areas ! Wander off the beaten path, discover some hidden gems, get lost in some backstreets. There’s much more to a destination than what’s limited to the photos you see on social media and this helps to dilute tourists from the most heavily visited areas. For Japan, this means exploring beyond the usual Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route.

! Wander off the beaten path, discover some hidden gems, get lost in some backstreets. There’s much more to a destination than what’s limited to the photos you see on social media and this helps to dilute tourists from the most heavily visited areas. For Japan, this means exploring beyond the usual Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route. Avoid travelling as part of large groups on a package tour . There is anonymity in travelling in this way where large groups of 50+ people aren’t held accountable for their negative impacts. If you want to be part of a tour, consider companies such as InsideJapan who travel in small, sustainable groups of no more than 14 people. Alternatively, join a small local tour that specialises in cultural experiences in cities throughout Japan such as MagicalTrip.

. There is anonymity in travelling in this way where large groups of 50+ people aren’t held accountable for their negative impacts. If you want to be part of a tour, consider companies such as InsideJapan who travel in small, sustainable groups of no more than 14 people. Alternatively, join a small local tour that specialises in cultural experiences in cities throughout Japan such as MagicalTrip. Give back to locals instead of making their lives more difficult, like avoiding Airbnbs and enjoying some cultural experiences to better understand their way of life.

Travel during the off-peak periods – both daily and seasonally. Use the metro and public transport outside of rush hour each day if you can, and avoid travelling during major holidays like Golden Week.

– both daily and seasonally. Use the metro and public transport outside of rush hour each day if you can, and avoid travelling during major holidays like Golden Week. Spend longer at your destination. I realise this sounds counter-intuitive, but by spreading your travels out over a few days rather than rushing around in a day is a more sustainable, enjoyable way to see a destination. This means you’ll be able to visit the popular tourist spots during off-peak times to lessen negative impacts.

I realise this sounds counter-intuitive, but by spreading your travels out over a few days rather than rushing around in a day is a more sustainable, enjoyable way to see a destination. This means you’ll be able to visit the popular tourist spots during off-peak times to lessen negative impacts. And, it’s not necessary to share EVERYTHING we do on social media as it happens. Be in the moment. Sometimes it’s about the memories we make that we keep to ourselves that are the best ones!

Sometimes it’s about the memories we make that we keep to ourselves that are the best ones! My full guide on how to avoid contributing to overtourism anywhere is also full of ideas to ease the burden.

If people spent as much time researching their travels as they did posting endlessly on social media about what they ate for lunch or without really knowing about what it is they’re sharing, tourism pollution would be on its way to being a thing of the past.