Japan is overloaded with tourists

The large number of visitors forced Japan to introduce some measures such as increasing taxes and fees to reduce pressure on tourist destinations.

According to Euronews , by the end of September, Japan had welcomed more than two million international visitors for four consecutive months. This is a good sign for the tourism industry that has struggled after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the large number of visitors also puts pressure on people's lives.

As a result, Japan will introduce a number of measures to limit the impact of overtourism. Plans include improving transportation systems in major cities, encouraging visitors to diversify their destinations, and collecting a tourism tax.

Specifically, in some famous tourist cities, Japan will expand its fleet of taxis and buses to better serve tourists. Currently, taxi companies in tourist hotspots are struggling to cope with the huge number of visitors. The government hopes that the move to improve infrastructure will boost tourism in some regions such as Niseko, Hokkaido - destinations that see a spike in visitors during the ski season.

Asakusa Temple in Tokyo. Photo: Tokyo Travel Guide

Another proposal being considered by officials is to raise bus fares to combat overcrowding. Bus fares are expected to be higher during rush hour to discourage people from using them. Alternatively, Japan could create new bus routes from major stations to popular tourist destinations that cater specifically to tourists.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, the country needs to develop tourism evenly outside of "hot spots" such as Tokyo and Kyoto. Currently, Japan is planning to develop tourism in 11 "model destinations" such as Ise-Shima (Mie Prefecture). Authorities hope to attract tourists to rural areas to experience nature instead of concentrating too much on traditional destinations.

In Hatsukaichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture), from October 1, visitors will have to pay a fee of about 1 USD when visiting Itsukushima Shrine - a UNESCO world heritage site. According to a local official, the fee is their way of protecting nature, history, and culture for the next generation.

Tu Nguyen

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