Tourism Kyoto to tackle over-tourism

[thomas]

The Kyoto Municipal Government will introduce "overtourism" countermeasures for the autumn season, such as increasing the number of extra bus services and calling on foreign tourists to behave appropriately. The autumn foliage season is the peak for crowds in Kyoto every year. With the relaxation of coronavirus measures expected to bring about a full recovery of visitors this fall, preventing over-tourism is an urgent issue.

Measures to address congestion at sightseeing spots and with transportation services include: increasing the number of extra "Rakuraku line" city bus services that connect railway stations and sightseeing spots; ending the sale of the "one-day bus pass," which allows unlimited daily rides, and instead promoting the use of the "one-day subway/bus pass" to encourage the use of the subway as well; establishing a temporary luggage storage area at JR Kyoto Station to promote "sightseeing without luggage;" and creating a brochure introducing morning and evening events and congestion forecasts.

Is this where the culprits come from?

Regarding measures for tourism etiquette, electronic billboards will be installed at Kyoto and Karasuma Oike subway stations to inform visitors of rules in English, Chinese and other languages. The city is also working with the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) to call on overseas travel agencies and others to help improve tourist behaviour through JNTO offices in China, Singapore and Australia.

Kyoto outlines 'overtourism' measures for autumn, including extra bus services - The Mainichi

KYOTO -- The Kyoto Municipal Government has compiled a list of

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[thomas]

Kyoto's new mayor, Matsui Koji, won the Kyoto mayoral campaign Sunday with promises to tackle the city's over-tourism problem, with his ideas including a new fare system for public transport that would make bus and subway rides cheaper for residents but more expensive for visitors.

But to implement that idea, there needs to be a change in the national law, and how effective the plan would ease travel congestion for residents is still unclear. [...] While the increase in tourists means more money for the local economy, it also means crowded buses and subway stations, traffic jams, long lines at Kyoto's famous temples and shrines, and street garbage, leading to many residents' complaints and calls for action. Matsui promised to tackle the over-tourism problem in several ways, including calling on the central government for legal revisions that would allow Kyoto buses and the subway system to charge visitors higher fares while charging residents lower fares than they are now. Currently, the fares are the same for everyone. The system's purpose would be to prioritise the transportation needs of residents and discourage overcrowding of buses and subways by tourists.

Kyoto, renowned for its tourist attractions, often relies on its city bus system as the most economical way to reach popular destinations. However, this system faces challenges due to overcrowding, especially when tourists and residents share the same buses. To address this, Mayor Matsui has proposed a dedicated sightseeing bus route for tourists. Additionally, he aims to reduce traffic congestion during holidays by restricting nonresident private cars from entering the city.

New Kyoto mayor aims to tackle over-tourism with higher fares

Koji Matsui faces many hurdles, and he takes over at a time when the demerits of over-tourism have become a particular topic of concern for residents.

www.japantimes.co.jp