In 2024, Japan saw a record 36.9 million international visitors, a 47.1% rise from the previous year. While the tourism industry is thriving post-pandemic, local residents in popular destinations like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka express growing frustration. Issues include tourists disregarding local customs, overwhelming public services, and causing disturbances. Incidents reported by media, such as public misconduct at sacred sites, have heightened tensions. Notably, Kyoto's tourism director highlights that many problems arise from tourist concentrations during peak seasons, which can exacerbate local grievances about overcrowding and disruption of everyday life.
"Problems are primarily caused by the concentration of tourists at major attractions, at certain times of the year and certain times of the day." - Toshinori Tsuchihashi, tourism director of Kyoto
"Tourists overwhelming public transport services or leaving litter are disrupting essential aspects of life in key cities, stirring resentment among residents."
"While the travel industry is witnessing a post-pandemic revival, concerns grow among locals about maintaining their customs amidst rising visitor numbers."
Collection
[
|
...
]