Japanese Rail At Tourists' Bad Manners

Above, the Great Buddah of Kamakura. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether one is visiting someone's home or visiting another country, it is always desirable to be on one's best behavior and remember their manners. After all, they are guests.

The influx of foreign tourists to Japan has caused fiction for the local residents. This is being called "tourism pollution". Many of these visitors are clueless on local customs and etiquette and have displayed bad manners.

The National Post reported:

Japan’s traditional sense of “omotenashi”, meaning wholeheartedly looking after guests, is wearing thin. 

Residents of many of the nation’s must-see tourist spots are increasingly expressing their frustration at loud and disrespectful foreigners, crowded public transport and poor etiquette among visitors. 

Tourism has surged, and ahead of the Rugby World Cup next year, followed by the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, there is a growing worry that the pretty cobbled streets and ornate temples tourists flock to — as well as the train and bus networks — will be unable to take the numbers.

The problem has become so bad in some cities, such as the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Kamakura, that local people are complaining to the authorities about “tourism pollution”.

To read more, go here.