Are you planning a trip to Japan this year? Hot topic on the news in Japan is overtourism in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Soon after Kyoto imposed a ban of tourists from entering alleys and private properties in famous geisha district of Gion Kyoto. Today is the first day where the Mount Fuji view at Yamanashi is being barricaded behind black mesh when the city lost control of tourist crowds who ignore traffic signs, flooding the streets and parking lots to take picture of Mount Fuji behind a convenient store. And up at Mount Fuji, the sacred mountain is also battling heavy hiking traffic, pollution and littering problems and will start implementing reservation system for climbing Mt. Fuji, starting May 2024.
It’s understandable if you’re tempted by Japan’s big three (Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto) and all the major attractions, especially if you’re a first time visitor. We can’t deny the appeal of these cities, but the over-saturation of tourists within them has created serious issues that last longer than any vacation will. Overcrowded streets, pollution, skyrocketing property prices, and economic disparities have caused the Japanese government to implement strict measures to combat the onslaught of tourists in recent years.
As a traveler — and a consumer — you have the power to counter the problem of overtourism by simply looking beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Japan is a multifaceted country with so much to offer, from bustling cities to beautiful landscapes and charming villages that are havens for traditional crafts. Below we’re sharing some of our favorite towns and regions in Japan that often get overlooked, so your travels can make a positive impact.
The Impact of OverTourism in Japan & How To Travel More Responsibly
The number of in-bound Japanese tourists has exploded since the end of the covid-19 pandemic. This may seem like good news to uplift the economy after the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic, but it has worsened the ongoing issue of overtourism in Japan.
Locals have been feeling the pressure, from small business owners suffering due to competition from tourist-focused corporations to residents not being able to afford highly inflated properties in their hometowns. The government has introduced visitor caps and accommodation regulations while starting cultural preservation and off-peak travel initiatives, but most tourists still flock to Tokyo and Kyoto, appealed by images on social media showing beautiful (and empty) Japanese townscapes. You know not everything is real on social media, right?
So, what can you do to make your visit to Japan more responsible?
Think of Japan as a slow-travel destination. You will probably fly into a big city like Tokyo, so it’s only natural to base in the metropolitans. But try to extend and diversify your trip by exploring hidden-gem destinations that often get forgotten. Here are some suggestions …
For City Lovers
Get the urban experience in smaller cities like Kobe, Nagasaki, and Fukuoka. The streets are much less crowded than Tokyo and Osaka, but you can still find all the modern amenities, nightlife, and foodie destinations that Japanese cities offer.
For History Lovers
See some of Japan’s most beautiful temples and well-preserved historic sites in towns like Gifu, Izumo, and Matsuyama. Many of these towns have great museums dedicated to traditional Japanese crafts, so you can really absorb the culture.
For Nature Lovers
Look beyond Mt. Fuji by visiting other coastal and mountain towns, like Miyazaki, Aomori, Kagoshima, Nagano, Oita, Aso, and Yakushima. You’ll get plenty of opportunities for hiking, beach and forest strolls, and natural hot spring soaks.
Still standing there waiting to snap that "tweetable moment" without seeing the crowd? A crowd-free travel is possible, for those who travel slow and travel deeper.
Get Off The Beaten Path: Travel Beyond Tokyo, find us. Urushi Forestry & Kintsugi Craft Travel Workshop
This December, we challenge you to truly go off the beaten path by joining our Urushi Forestry & Lacquer Craft Experience.
This immersive workshop will give you a new perspective on traditional Japanese craftsmanship. It’s not just about seeing the final product, but discovering the origins of the materials, learning about the intricacies of the craftsmanship techniques, and seeing the dedication of our artisans with your own eyes!
Trust us, it will be a truly one-of-a-kind experience that you won’t find elsewhere. We had to go off the beaten path ourselves to find these places, and now we’re sharing them with an exclusive group of craft and culture enthusiasts. We are committed to help revitalized little-known craft towns and support the local craft industries. Reservations are going fast, so don’t wait to apply. You can learn more about the workshop here!
When you start planning your trip to Japan (and take advantage of the weak yen!), we invite you to broaden your horizons.
Seek out to secluded places that are almost never featured on any travel lists, and meet amazing local makers like our partner artisans! Be a social-responsible culture traveler, help relief Kyoto and Mount Fuji from overtourism! And we are always here anticipating to be discovered, if you are willing challenge yourself to travel deeper and escape overtourism in Japan.
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