Japan faces tourism saturation: measures to decentralize tourism

24-06-24

Tourist saturation, a problem that affects many major European destinations, has become a global challenge that now also impacts the Land of the Rising Sun. Japan has begun to implement measures to mitigate overcrowding in its most popular tourist areas, such as Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, and to promote the dispersion of travelers to other lesser-known regions.

To address tourist overcrowding, local authorities, with the support of the central government, have introduced several initiatives. In Kyoto, a shuttle bus system has been set up to transport visitors to tourist attractions, thereby reducing traffic and congestion in crowded areas. In addition, lesser-known regions are being promoted to decentralize tourism and distribute visitors more evenly throughout the country.

These new measures add to previous efforts, such as banning access to certain streets in Kyoto's famous geisha quarter and limiting the number of hikers allowed on Mount Fuji. On the Yoshida route, the most frequented, a limit of 4,000 hikers per day has been set to preserve the natural environment and enhance the visitor experience.

Social media has played an important role in showing the "b-side" of tourist destinations, highlighting the negative effects of overcrowding. In response, Japan has stepped up the promotion of lesser-known areas and emerging destinations, encouraging tourists to explore beyond traditional tourist spots.

The aim of these measures is not only to alleviate pressure on popular tourist areas, but also to offer visitors a more authentic and diversified experience of Japanese culture and landscape. By managing tourism more sustainably, Japan seeks to balance the influx of visitors and preserve its natural and cultural heritage for future generations.