Things To Know If Travelling To Japan This Year

Above, the Mitsukoshi department store at Ginza Crossing in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer

It is funny how Japan for years clamored for more foreign tourists. Now that foreigners have coming into the country in droves, Japan is deeply concerned with overtourism.

Much of this overtourism is due to the weak yen. This is drawing foreigners as Japan is seen as a huge bargain as a result. One the other side of the coin, the weak yen is keeping Japanese citizens to refrain from foreign travel (Hawaii is a good example).

Condé Nast Traveller has an article on what four things we should expect if one is planning to travel to Japan this year.

They begin with:

Japan is experiencing a serious boom in tourism since the pandemic. With visitor numbers crossing three million in March this year, parts of the country are taking several measures to fight overtourism. Tourists must pay a fee and reserve a spot to hike Mt. Fuji’s Yoshida Trail. The alleys of the geisha district are also out of bounds. Here’s what you need to know if you travel to Japan this season.

To read more, go here. 

Outrage Over Japan Tourism Ban

Above, tourists flock in the shopping area below Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Weeks ago, I blogged about the ban on tourism in Kyoto's geisha district streets due to over tourism and unruly tourists.

Apparently, according to NewsBreak, this has angered some tourists and led to a backlash.

They reported:

With its unique culture, jaw-dropping landscapes, world-famous historical sites, and mass outpouring of cultural exports, Japan is one of the most fascinating and most popular countries in the world to visit. I've been very outspoken about how much I've enjoyed my travels to Japan, and I would gladly return any chance I get. With international tourism significantly increasing over the past few years, Japan continues to grow in popularity among tourists with each passing year.

Unfortunately, that influx of overtourism is starting to lead to backlash, and this April, a strict tourism ban went into effect in one of Japan's most popular locales. Though there's solid reasoning for this ban, and it's not exactly as grim as it sounds on the surface, it's enough to leave many international tourists outraged!

To read the full article, go here. 

Kyoto Implementing More Tourist Rules

Above, a Gion street near Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto still allowing tourists. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Kyoto has been putting up with overcrowding and misbehaving tourists for some time. Now they are starting to crack down.

The city is implementing more rules for tourists. They include bans on tourists entering the Gion geisha private alleys not far from Kiyomizu-dera.

Travel + Leisure reported:

The Japanese city of Kyoto is banning tourists from some private alleys in its geisha district.

The city will place signs in both English and Japanese around the area, called Gion, warning tourists to stay clear as well as fine anyone who doesn’t listen, The Associated Press reported. The fine will amount to 10,000 yen ($67.97). 

The public streets in Gion will remain open.

“We are going to put up signs in April that tell tourists to stay out of our private streets,” local district official Isokazu Ota told the wire service.

The decision to ban visitors from these blocks comes as the city has dealt with overcrowding and misbehaving tourists, the AP noted.

This isn’t the first time Kyoto has tried to protect geisha, the women who dress up in traditional kimonos and makeup and perform for customers while they dine. In 2015, the city handed out pamphlets warning against “nuisance activities,” which included taking photos of geisha, CNN reported. And in 2019, Gion again put up signs prohibiting photography and warning of potential fines.

To read more, go here. 

What It's Like To Be Traveling To Japan Today

Above, a geisha photoshoot in Asakusa, Tokyo near Senso-ji temple. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign tourists are now allowed into Japan. But there is a process for doing so.

Traveller.com has posted an article on what it's like to be traveling in Japan today. It is from an Australian perspective, which I find interesting to read.

They begin with:

It's not ideal to spend a week in Japan with a Cher song stuck in your head. Still, these last seven days I've been walking around Kyoto, around Hamamatsu, and around Tokyo humming the same chorus to myself: "If I could turn back time…"

Because being in Japan right now is like turning back time. Remember Australia about a year ago? Remember the way we thought about COVID-19 back then, the way we treated it, the way we planned our lives and our lifestyles around it? That's Japan, now.

Getting into Japan as a foreign tourist is very reminiscent of getting into Australia back in December last year. Then, Australia had the DPD, the dreaded, buggy app that every prospective entrant into the country had to deal with, to register all of their personal details and upload their vaccination certificate and scan their passport and start the whole thing afresh for every trip.

Now, Japan has Japan Web, a less-buggy website that performs essentially the same function, and is equally laborious – this time with the extra spice of cross-cultural confusion. You get there, in the end. But it's a process.

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto Imposes Ban and Fine On Geisha Photography On Private Streets

Above, a geisha photo taken at Asakusa's Senso-ji temple grounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign tourists to Japan have been causing problems in some areas.

One of which is in Kyoto's Gion geisha district. Overeager and rude tourists have been harassing geishas for photographs on private streets.

Four years ago, we traveled to Kyoto and my traveling companion wanted to take a photo of a geisha. Instead of just snapping a picture, she asked for permission first. The geisha consented and the photo was taken.

Unfortunately, other foreign tourists aren't being as courteous.

As the problem of rude tourists has escalated, a fine has now been imposed, roughly $100.

Time Out Tokyo reported:

The Gion district is one of Kyoto’s most popular tourist attractions, famous for its well-preserved heritage roads flanked by wooden machiya (teahouses), which conserve the neighbourhood's Edo-period charm. The picturesque streets are one of the best areas to spot geisha or maiko (apprentice geisha) on their way to work. However, in recent years, tourists have been racing around like paparazzi to take photos of geisha or maiko, sometimes even trespassing on private property to get the best shot.  

Kyoto has had enough with the unruly tourist behaviours. Japan Today reports that an ‘association made up of local residents and shop owners has forbidden photography on private roads'. Beginning October 25, there will be a ¥10,000 fine for photos taken on private streets. Right now, the rule is announced on flyers and signs, and enforced through video surveillance. It’s okay to take pictures on the main roads, such as the well-known Hanami-koji, the historic Shirakawa-dori and the atmospheric Sannenzaka Slope which leads to Yasaka Pagoda (pictured top) – but not on the more tranquil alleys branching off from the main roads. Yes, those streets may look more alluring and are less tourist-filled, but the residents' privacy is much more important than a photographic souvenir. 

To read more, go here. 

Where To See Geisha In Tokyo

Above, a girl dressed as a geisha near Sensoji in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on five places in Tokyo where visitors can see geisha.

Yes, there are still people who think that their vacation to Japan isn't complete unless they see a geisha. We happened to see some in Kyoto a little over two years ago and I saw one young lady dressed up in traditional geisha garb at Sensoji in Asakusa. She was dressed for a photo or video shoot at the temple.

But, if you are one of those who just has to see a geisha, the article is right up your alley.

They begin with:

Everyone knows about geisha, be it from that (in)famous book, the movie or general Japan knowledge. And seeing one is often high on the list of anyone visiting—but how do you make it happen? While Kyoto (one of Japan’s ancient capitals) has the reputation for traditional Japanese experiences like kimono fittings, tea ceremony and geisha, there are plenty of opportunities in Tokyo too. Geisha are performers; classically trained in a range of skills including the art of conversation, playing instruments like the shamisen, drinking games, poetry recital and dance. These skills are practiced and honed for years in training and are employed for entertainment at high-end events and dinners. 

Unsurprisingly and understandably, seeing a real geisha is expensive and can be difficult to arrange for foreigners in Japan. Ozashiki, the places where geisha perform, often have a referral-only policy and many are (let’s put it politely) reluctant to allow foreigners in. You have options though, don’t worry! You can enjoy a traditional sit-down evening with a geisha, spot them in the streets or wave at them during festival appearances, depending on your budget.

To read more, go here.