Japan's war on tourists as it hikes prices and introduces tourism bans

Tourists in Japan

Tourists will face higher fees when in Japan

GETTY/PEXELS
Sarra Gray

By Sarra Gray


Published: 19/10/2023

- 12:45

Updated: 19/10/2023

- 12:57

Japan could increase the cost of public transport to try and combat overtourism

Britons in Japan could soon be faced with new bans and rules to follow.

This includes more expensive train fares and a ban on photos in some areas.


This comes as parts of Japan have struggled to cope with an increase in tourists.

Tourism has started to return to pre-Covid levels which means there has been an influx of guests in the country.

Tourists in Japan

The country is experiencing overtourism

PEXELS

Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida explained this has made it difficult for residents to go about their daily lives.

Speaking this week, he said: "In some areas and during certain periods, there has been an impact on the lives of local residents due to inbound tourists, such as bad manners.”

He explained those living in Japan have been disrupted by tourists and new bans could help with this.

Tourists will face higher fares if travelling on trains. This is to be used as a deterrent rather than to make profit.

It aims to reduce congestion as public transport operators raise prices.

Japan has had a number of issues with tourism recently, including tourists trespassing onto private land in order to take photos.

This is not the first time tourists have faced tough restrictions when in Japan.

In the last few years, tourists have been discouraged from visiting certain areas and even banned from taking photos in some cases.

In the last few years, signs were put around the town and at the train station in Sasaquri, stating it was a sacred place of worship and that non-Japanese tourist groups were not welcome.

Tourists in Japan

Japan has had issues with tourists trespassing

PEXELS

Restrictions on tourists are often introduced when a country struggles to cope with the amount of visitors.

Iceland shared plans of a new tourist tax to deter tourists and cut back on how many people visit the country.

Venice has introduced a number of deterrents over the years as overtourism became an issue.

Most recently, the Italian city installed a daily tax for anyone over the age of 14.

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