(TAN): Japanese city of Kyoto has become yet another target of overtourism. Once the capital of the country, the city is known for its gardens, traditional wooden houses, palaces and geishas or female entertainers who can often be found in Kyoto’s Gion district. Tourists from all over the world throng this area, camera in hand, waiting for the perfect shot of the geisha on her way to work.
In the wake of a series of harassment complaints, Kyoto has banned photography in the main geisha neighbourhood and introduced fines for tourists who are found defying the rule, reports said.
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The city reportedly announced a fine of up to JPY 10,000 (USD 91 approximately) for each time they flout the new regulation. Also, leaflets are being handed out asking visitors to obtain permission before taking photographs of or selfies with the city’s residents, including geishas.
According to reports, tourists have often been spotted chasing geishas and geishas-in-waiting, dressed in elaborate kimono and makeup, down the roads. Not just that, foreign visitors have reportedly been found blocking traffic, trespassing into private properties, littering, smoking while walking, and touching Kyoto’s classic wood frame buildings. Residents have complained of overcrowded buses, congestion, and overbooked restaurants during peak season, reports said.
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In an attempt to stop such misconduct, the local residents and business owners of the Gion-Shinbashi district had formed a “scenery preservation” committee, asking tourists to be more respectful. Exit signs remind tourists to behave decently with residents. The Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau reportedly had released an etiquette manual in 2017 which reiterated that they mind their manners.
As Kyoto joins several other international destinations in their pursuit to deal with overtourism, a pilot programme will reportedly be implemented in December with tourists being asked through their smartphones to behave properly. Messages in Chinese and English will be delivered to their phones, prohibiting them to take photos without consent and touch private property, each time they come within a kilometre of Gion.
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