Yamanashi Prefecture’s ‘Mt. Fuji Proof Shot Sanctuary’ [사진=교도·로이터·연합뉴스]
In Japan, where the weak yen coincides with Golden Week, a golden spring holiday, the issue of ‘overtourism’ is a topic of controversy every day due to the influx of tourists from all over the world. Although there is a positive effect of increasing Japan’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) due to increased tourism revenue, local governments with tourist destinations are having trouble coping with the rapid increase in tourists.
The number of foreign tourists visiting Japan last year was 25.06 million (estimated), recovering to about 80% of the number in 2019 just before the spread of COVID-19. If the current trend continues, there is a high possibility that it will hit an all-time high this year.
The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 7th that due to the rapid increase in visitors to Japan, the problem surrounding ‘overtourism’, which had been discussed before, is also resurfacing.
‘Overtourism’ began to be raised around famous tourist destinations around the world around 2016. In Japan, problems such as illegal dumping of waste and shipwreck accidents occurred on Mt. Fuji, and in Okinawa, concerns were raised as coral reefs were polluted due to the influx of diving tourists.
This year, with the record low yen, the number of tourists has increased even more, leading some local governments and businesses to come up with measures to intentionally block natural scenery or collect additional fees from tourists.
Among these, the place that has become a hot topic with ‘special measures’ is Yamanashi Prefecture’s ‘Mt. Fuji Ceremony Photo Sanctuary’, which is also known to Korean and Chinese tourists. As a photo of Mount Fuji towering majestically above the Lawson convenience store signboard became a hot topic on the Internet, the number of tourists visiting the place to take photos has increased sharply since the end of 2022, when COVID-19 quarantine measures were relaxed.
The surrounding area has become congested due to people crossing the narrow road and taking pictures, and the number of tourists throwing away trash or parking without permission has also increased.
Then, on the 30th of last month, the Fujikawaguchiko town authorities in Yamanashi Prefecture installed a 2.5m high and 20m wide black screen blocking Mt. Fuji.
Additionally, in some regions, local governments have emerged to collect taxes on day-trippers.
Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, charges 100 yen (about 900 won) per person to visitors to Miyajima, the island where Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located. Because there are not many accommodations on Miyajima, most tourists visit the island on a day trip.
Koya-cho, Wakayama Prefecture, home to another World Heritage Site, ‘Kii Mountain Range Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes’, also plans to start collecting taxes from tourists before April 2028.
Osaka Prefecture, which will host the Osaka-Kansai World Expo in April next year, is discussing a plan to collect a ‘collection fee’ only from foreign tourists.
The Japanese government cites the phenomenon of tourists being concentrated in certain areas as one of the causes of ‘overtourism’. According to the Japan Tourism Agency, 74% of the 114.33 million cumulative overnight stays by visitors to Japan last year were concentrated in five regions, including Hokkaido, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The degree of concentration appears to have increased compared to 2019 (65%).
Reporter Jihee Choi imzheeimzhee@ajunews.com
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