Is Over-Tourism Ruining Japan??

[@SJ-210]

I agree with Connor that while nobody is entitled to go to their country, Japan can be A LOT better at managing things and making new solutions rather than just getting rid of certain things and spots altogether that attract tourists in the first place

[@fc3sturbogtr]

Especially considering the amount of tourism is literally helping the economy in Japan. The Yen is still weak, maybe a continuous influx of foreigners attracted to those spots will eventually make a bigger positive impact on the Yen.

[@pax6833]

@@fc3sturbogtr It undoubtably will. It's a big reason the Euro used to be stronger relative to the dollar, huge influx of tourism money. It's no coincidence that the end of global tourism sent the Euro plummeting and coming to parity with the dollar.

[@Crimsontears83]

You guys are seeing it as a tourist who wants to be here. As someone who lives here and doesn't have a business to make money off of tourists it can be incredibly annoying to have so many people take up your home. Plus everyone is saying what Japan shouldn't do but few seem to have a valid solution. This situation is more than just "Japan should or shouldn't do this". Yes the Government is happy as well as some businesses with the increase of foreign dollars but the people who actually live here are the ones who actually have to deal with it all.

[@_KondoIsami_]

@@fc3sturbogtr There is a bit of a misunderstanding regarding this. Inbound tourism was never important for Japan, tourism accounts for only 1-2% of the GDP and 80% of tourists are domestic, meaning the Japanese themselves are the ones moving the tourism industry, the vast majority of foreigner tourists are from East Asia and Southeast Asia, western tourists account for only 2% of tourists but across foreigners they are the biggest spenders, but it's impossible to increase their numbers because the main issue is that Japan is too far and the travel time is long. About 0.1% of the GDP come from foreigner tourists, the amount gained is too low for the trouble caused, and part of the issue is that foreigners concentrate in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Japan is a very rich country, it doesn't need to rely on inbound tourism, other sectors are a lot more lucrative.

[@NaganoharaYoimiya-bs7hb]

Why not other countries make their own countries better instead?

[@A.Gorilla.]

People treat Japan like its some alien world with its entirely unique set of morals. Most of the time if you're well behaved at home that same behaviour will be good enough there. Just don't get goofy because you're on vacation.

[@TheBaldr]

Except the fact is that even most Japanese people break these rules. They are just being hypocritical because Japan is 98% Ethnic Japanese and a bit xenophobic.

[@nanevak]

Yes but because of the big number of people you cannot expect all of them to behave modestly. There'll be clueless or rude idiots who will do things which the tourist trap should be prepared for. Tourism brings in a lot of money and being hostile towards your customers is going to bite you in the long run. I agree with Chris Broad on that if for example the overflowing garbage bins are an issue because of the sheer amount of tourists coming in then the city could install more garbage bins to solve that particular problem, from the money they made from said tourists.

[@BQD_Central]

You understand that people will not listen to some random youtubers if they don't listen to official instructions, right?

[@gotakazawa408]

Unfortunately, recent tourists are spending less money in Japan compared to before the pandemic. They are not contributing to the Japanese economy as much as they might think.

[@anniebell6846]

@@nanevak people being hostile is a direct result of people being uncaring and selfish . Tourism in general is now just a set of tick box experiences and the people who live in that country are just actors who have to play the role of yes man

[@lukecommins1096]

Japan is the textbook definition of suffering from success

[@aajohnsoutube]

Embarrassed by failure. This is the issue

[@TheBaldr]

Actually it failure and success at the same time. The Yen is half the price to the Dollar/Euro it was even was before Covid. They still complained about tourists and tourist infrastructure long before Covid and refused to do anything.

[@koolarooo]

Their economy says otherwise but I get what you’re saying.

[@jordanjames2956]

It is not just Japan struggling with tourism. I live near several national parks in the western US and ever since covid ended they have been way busy then they used to be. It is actually starting to create a lot of issues with over tourism. To the point that many of these parks are just not worth going to anymore.

[@Andrew-gn9qp]

​@@koolarooo As a Canadian I can tell you straight up I would rather have Japan's problems, they have the lowest unemployment rate in the G7, while in Canada we have thousands of people competing for minimum wage cashier jobs.

[@taoiseachjager9643]

Tourists are super easy to avoid in japan because they only go like 3 places tokyo, kyoto, and osaka. If you go places like Hokkaido or the western coast you see next to no tourists. Not to mention tourism in japan is really not that bad. In 2023 japan had 25 million international tourists and is projected to pass 31 mill in 2024. For comparison colorado in the usa (a stste of 5 million) recieves 38 million tourists per year. It just feels like japan in over touristed because they all go to the same handfull of places.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

I get your point but that comparison is apples to oranges. State of Colorado is larger than Japan and if we're being honest the 3 main cities are where tourists pretty much go (which it is what it is, I loved my time in those places). I do agree, tourism isn't bad and it's only really oversaturated in Kyoto honestly. But that's cause Kyoto doesn't really have the infrastructure to hold up due to a number of factors. Osaka and Tokyo are much larger cities and really have no issue with many tourists cause even if the tourists weren't there, Tokyo still has nearly 40 million residents and Osaka nearly 9 million in its prefecture

[@willisread]

I don't know if this is completely true. We always holiday in Sapporo/Hokkaido and there are loads of tourists there. Not only in Sapporo and Hakodate, but also in Furano, Shiretoko and even the local onsens. As a matter of fact I just got back from 3 weeks in Sapporo and can confirm that this is the case. Lot's of tourists from SE Asia, China, Australia and New Zealand.

[@marcellkuti4312]

Well but why do people visit colorado? I doubt they are heading all to Denver. I mean that city is lame, they go for the mountains, and skiing opportunities. I'd compare Japan with France, or Italy. France's record number of tourists was 90 million. the japanese 25 million is pathetic compared to that. And I mean... the French arent too friendly people either, but you dont even get that shit from them either. And the type of tourism is quite the same in France, as in Japan. Tho France has a record of dealing with tourists for more centuries now, maybe the Japs will get used to it too.

[@jamessunderland7435]

You should keep things like this to yourself and away from KZbin.

[@Lambyyy]

@@emssasukeisunderrated7946 The State of Colorado is not larger than Japan, not sure where you've gotten that from - Japan is 41% larger.

[@gro_skunk]

"stop giving me so much attention" -Japan

[@Jiyoon02]

Honestly, that's how I feel all the time lol

[@Marryjanesbud]

Suffering from success fr 💀

[@gamer4ever838]

japan is still the best country to visit

[@XC-Z-cv8qw]

Japan-senpai

[@miro1987]

Come to Finland instead, please.... Our budget deficit is chronic...

[@aurthurpendragon1015]

This is only tangentally related to this, but remember when China released a book for their own citizens detailing dos and donts for visiting other countries? That was funny.

[@Beerbottles123]

I only remember the part the CCP tell their people to flash their passport in order to not get mugged. It's the biggest WTF moment.

[@BQD_Central]

That's because the Red Guards of old behave very badly.

[@gotakazawa408]

If these three truly want to show courage and sincerity, they should go to China and highlight its problems. If they can't, they prove themselves to be weak and foolish.They are spoiled because they think that they can do anything in Japan and not be punished. In other words, they are making insulting remarks to Japanese people who are seriously troubled. If they live outside of Japan, they are free to say things about other countries. However, I feel very angry that their criticism is in the wrong direction when they are receiving plenty of benefits from Japan.

[@TheStraightGod]

@@gotakazawa408 How so? Why should they risk getting arrested for no reason? They could just criticize China from afar if they're interested in China.

[@gotakazawa408]

I feel that what they're saying is an insult to us Japanese people and very arrogant. They need to realize that they are not a privileged class. Personally, I believe their visas in Japan should be revoked. I'd like to ask them if they could do the same thing in China. It seems they "look down on Japan and its people" because they know they won't be arrested here, even if they spout arrogant and vague information. If they think they are legitimate, they should believe they wouldn't be arrested no matter where they go. So, in a broad sense, they are "nuisance streamers". It's also cowardly to broadcast in Japanese without providing subtitles.

[@jennifer1623]

We have Kama'aina discount in Hawaii where we just need to show a Hawai'i drivers license to get the discount or cheaper price. If Japan had a way for people to prove their residency, like a drivers license, passport, etc They could get the cheaper price that way. People might complain, but we've had it in Hawai'i for at least 30 years, probably longer.

[@dannyvu6403]

It’s pretty normal in restaurants to have a foreigner price and regular Japanese menu price

[@Marryjanesbud]

@@dannyvu6403 yea & that’s why it’s important to learn the language or go with a local cause otherwise they’ll give you the gaijin tax lol

[@JamieLannyster]

there's restaurants in japan that straight up won't take in foreigners. you'll be naive to think they dont have a non-japanese menu with different prices.

[@TMTLive]

@@dannyvu6403 It's not normal at all, I love checking differences between japanese and english menus and I've literally not once found a price discrepancy

[@hannah60000]

@@dannyvu6403Not worldwide. Imagine if London did that for us London born and raised - the outrage would be wild. 😅 It’s actually fair to have one price (minus children or student prices etc).

[@Beerbottles123]

This is probably unrelated, but Sydney has Lockout laws for more than a decade screwing tourism and local business over, all because the government decide they want to stop drunken brawls in the streets. Shutting popular places down to people isn't a unique thing specifically only to Japan.

[@redfish337]

Kind of, if ruining Japan means 0.1% of Tokyo and Kyoto and 0.001% of the country. All you have to do is go like 3 streets over in Shibuya, or just plain go to Ikebukuro and most of the tourists are gone. Let alone going to some random Yamanote Line station. Let alone 2 blocks out from some random TOEI station. Let alone going out to the suburbs. Can't they figure out how to spread the tourists out more besides making people stop buying the JR pass so they'll just stay in Tokyo and Kyoto? Can't they figure out how to get the tourists to not go to the same few areas? Can't they figure out how to get the tourists to spread out a bit more in the areas they do go to? Tourists aren't all over. In Tokyo they're basically just in a tiny little section of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, and Asakusa. Basically everywhere else it's just a few tourists here and there. I went in the Saizeriya in Asakusa and it was literally just Japanese people. The tourists were all waiting in line for gyuukatsu.

[@ImRezaF]

That's not Government's fault, that's on the tourists not knowing Japan's map. Even when i'm in Tokyo, i went to places like Harumi or Kachidoki that has less tourists than Shibuya & etc.

[@deletedwaffles]

@@ImRezaF I would say that is partly the government's fault for not being as informative as they should be. Just because you know where to go doesn't mean a big chunk of other travelers will. Most of them will just do research on Google about popular spots in Japan and it's the same bullshit places tourists go to.

[@redfish337]

@@ImRezaF Is it the tourists that are complaining about too many tourists? I'm sure most of them are having the time of their life. If the tourists are complaining about too many tourists and still go to those same places then that's their own fault for not doing their research. But if it's Japanese people complaining, then yes, that is the government's job to try to spread them out more.

[@3ndeavor]

Kyoto is ridiculously packed, in Osaka, Nanba and Tennoji/Shin Sekai where Tsutenkaku is get a bit nutty. I've seen a lot of tourists in other places in Kansai and Chubu, like Nara or Kanazawa. And there many Asian tourists in Fukuoka. It's not realllllly a problem in these places tho. But it's can be quite an inconvenience. If you look at japanese people while they're moving about, they're a flow and rhythm to how they move. In Osaka, for example, everyone walks on the left side of street/path/sidewalk. It's soooooo friggin annoying with tourists can't figure out the flow just by looking around. It's as that silly sign pointed out, don't force your way, join in. "when in Tokyo," amirite? Also to people who get kinda butthurt about this stuff... Most foreign tourists are Asian here. We're not always talking about you lol

[@ImRezaF]

@@redfish337 The reason why i said it's not Government's fault because, think of it like this, it's not their fault that the tourists only know the touristic places. Like most tourists prolly googled "what places to visit in japan" and the search result is prolly the typical Shibuya, Golden gai, kyoto, etc. At that point, that's outside JP government's responsibility.

[@yourbasicninja]

It also doesnt help that the majority of foreigners are intrigued in Japan is because of all the Japan-tubers/ influencers that capitalize on the country by producing content like "I paid 200$ for A Micro Tokyo Apartment!" "I Rented A Boyfriend For A Day!" "I Visited A Yaoi Cafe!" "I spent 48 Hours Around Tokyo!" Thats probably the reason why within the past few years, there have been streamers/idiots visiting Japan and making it a country thats for wacky/goofy adventures with no care for the law.

[@dayla8634]

We already do. All foreigners have to have their foreign ID card with them at all times.

[@delitaheiral9184]

Connor's Channel: *sweats profusely*

[@ImRezaF]

All these influencers talking how "tourism play a large part of japanese economy" even tho it's like 1% of the GDP.

[@deletedwaffles]

A lot of them also have the audacity to get mad at tourists even though the influencer is the one making all these crazy videos enticing tourists to come.

[@ARKSAAXX-ys9gz]

Many viewers expect "weird Japan stuff", so content creators only create stereotypical and strange videos of Japan for views. They literally created the image of Japan as some kind of theme park place. I mean, I understand what they're doing, because social media is basically just for fun, and everyone has the right to make stupid videos, but when it comes to Japan, they've gone too far, and too many people have created too much Japanese content, and this is the result.

[@menjivarTv]

I am glad to hear a nuanced opinion that doesn’t glorify Japan or Japanese people, each mega city in the world feels divided about tourism now that it’s become accessible for many, Barcelona recently banned Airbnb apartments altogether

[@jacquesmassard9226]

do you guys remember the Chinese tourist who craved his name into the pyramids? Tourists act like idiots everywhere. Feels like they just want to shut down again. live in a bubble.

[@sleefy2343]

Isn’t that what most Asian countries is doing 💀

[@Wingzero90939]

The other problem with this is a lot of tourism industries in Japan will just straight out die. Japanese people in their limited free time are not going to take a traditional Japanese tea ceremony class, a dress up as a samurai class experience, where you get to cut stuff with a katana. Or that Japanese amusement park experience where you get to be a ninja. Not to mention the traditional Japanese archery classes along with the traditional calligraphy classes all of this stuff is tourist crap. Normal Japanese people are not doing this. These industries will die without tourism.

[@pridefall3304]

I will push back a little on this and say that both archery and traditional calligraphy, along with things like kendo and aikido, are still very popular club activities for students in middle and high school. My neighbor, a 26 yo Japanese man, still regularly practices kendo. Sometimes on weekends I will see clusters of people of all ages with 弓道 longbows around the station where I work. There are tourist traps, and some of those industries would die out, you're right, but Japanese people are also very fond of preserving the "Japanesiest" parts of their traditional culture.

[@marcellkuti4312]

Why would tourism die? As long as no global pandemic arises again, tourism influx will be evergrowing. I mean, look at France! The have three times more tourists in a country half the size in population. Also, hundreds millions are getting richer, and richer in China, Vietnam and India, so that they can afford to tour around, and they could boost the Japanese tourism so much... I mean... If they get in the situation like the Greeks have, that they are overly reliant on tourism, thats bad for sure, but maybe the Japs xenophobic nature is preventing them from utilizing this. But oh well, I'm not gonna cry, when the Koreans, who utilize tourism, and cultural expansion muuuch better, overtake them in wealth.

[@Tehgon]

I live in a coastal town that suffers from over tourism and can confirm it is awful. I don't know what it is about people that make them think its ok to trash places they're visiting, act over entitled and not respect the people who live there.

[@HeyMyNameIs...]

Being such a fascinating country with insane popculture fandom will attract so many different people. The fact that the Yen is now in such a bad spot, it does attract the not so great tourists... . I went last year, prepared so hard to know the customs of the japenese, learned a bit to get around, and spend so much time to be respectful to the culture and yet i was shocked to see so many people just being impolite and rude to the japanese... i was so sickend to say the least. Respect the culture of any country before you set foot their, they may have a starbucks, netflix, etc. . That doesn't mean they live on your rules. Still highly recommend visiting Japan it's incredible and the food is just godtier.

[@gotakazawa408]

As you say, I think Japan would be a better country if it weren't for annoying streamers trying to impose Western values on others.

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

THIS. Summed it up perfectly. Also went last year and although I went to the main 3 cities, didn't experience foreigners being rude and impolite. Sure some didn't understand all the customs (trust me, even while knowing the language and customs through university there's still some that I had to learn and more so regional customs. Things you can do in the Kanto region are different from Kansai or northern or southern Japan) but they at least tried. Definitely can't wait to go back next year and although I know not every restaurant is great, I didn't have one thing that didn't at least taste very good. Literally had the best steak, pizza, sushi, sashimi, udon, ramen, katsudon, mochi, matcha, Japanese curry (even had some of the best USA soul food too lol) etc. of my life on that trip

[@piratediaries572]

I agree with Connor on this one. Japan advertise tourism so much; they have a Twitter account (Chiitan) who is a God of promotion for the country. I obviously think people should be respectful of other people's cultures but there has to be some middle ground. I've visited Japan recently and the locals I met were so nice and welcoming. but then I get online and KZbinrs and Blogs are like "They hate you all" Another thing Connor is right about is Japan is VERY capitalistic even if people don't like to think so. There they should be smarter and not so heavy handed with their decisions. importantly if you are thinking about visiting Japan don't let this scare you off. It's as great as you hear, just try to learn as many small and big things about how to be respectful as possible because it is important but the people I met where nice enough to teach me when I did mess up. if you care you'll pick the stuff up fast.

[@danielhakim9485]

Hell, Chiitan got kicked out of her own company because her slapstick acts are way too notorious for the promotion.

[@citrusblast4372]

I dont think chiitan promotes tourism

[@danielhakim9485]

@@citrusblast4372 Chiitan is a prefecture mascot created for tourism, but she is way too unhinged

[@gotakazawa408]

Essentially, tourism promotion is determined by both national and local governments, as well as the tourism industry. It may not always reflect the desires of the Japanese people. On the other hand, Japanese people have a long history of hospitality, so the current situation is that the government is capitalizing on this national trait without cost.

[@nanonano2595]

well then japan should hire some seiso twin vtubers to promote japan tourism, like some tour guides maybe.

[@citrusblast4372]

Whats appealing of japan is how encompassing the politeness and teamwork is for the natives, no one else does it like this. If you tried to move the way you would in japan in literally any other country you would get hurt really bad

[@PeninsulaCity2024]

I visited Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo within two and a half weeks and personally, all the tourist-related issues I saw was in very specific areas of Kyoto mostly in Gion. Elsewhere wasn't as crazy or was quiet. Then again, I didn't always go to places that were touristy so maybe its just an over saturation of those hotspots thats breeding issues. By the way, SF Bay Area in the USA has some businesses that offer discounts to locals. I guess its different because everyone don't look the same and its the owners of those businesses implementing those policies rather than the entire country.

[@BQD_Central]

It can not be worse if you were in some of the hotspots. It's literally impossible.

[@War_Maker]

This discussion coming out while I’m on vacations visiting Japan for 3 weeks 😂

[@DEVIL9999ish]

i plan on visiting next month , i hope its all good lol

[@Ariennon]

I’m visiting right now😭😭

[@Sweyn_Nero]

I'm there until september..

[@phoenix6890]

Same

[@gotakazawa408]

If there are negative and foolish streamers like those three, tourists might be perceived as foolish as well.

[@monicastamant]

When I was in high school, I was a huge Jpop fan, but none of it was on KZbin and you couldn’t buy it directly from Japan. You had to buy CDs through someone who had a Japanese address or who visited Japan often. Tons of foreign fans supported artists this way, and yet we were essentially told to stop because eventually Oricon said, “Overseas sales won’t count toward the charts anymore,” which made no sense. So fans who would LOVE to support the artists even with NOTHING given to us unless we found our own way, were cast aside. They also said, “Well, no one outside of Japan probably likes this music,” like HUH??? They made it impossible for no reason. Why not just put the music on streaming platforms, on youtube, sell CDs online??? But no - they wanted to be dumb and exclude everyone like that. Absolutely bananas. Kpop did the opposite - the GOVERNMENT of Korea allocated funds to make Korean media popular, they sold merch, put everything on youtube, promoted dramas in other countries, had songs in English some of the time, and made an effort to get Kpop culture off the ground, and it worked. Meanwhile, Japan is still doing it the old way, which hasn’t worked and is such a waste.

[@Aaron-bh5cp]

Think you're overplaying the role of the Korean gov which was basically not getting in the way of Korea's entertianment companies. The US gov pumps more funds into hollywood and their own media. Kpop was bound to get popular with groups of good looking people and cool performances/catchy beats. Let's be real here - the Korean visual aesthetic is much more generally appealing than the typical jpop artist.

[@monicastamant]

@@Aaron-bh5cp Read the book The Birth of Korean Cool - it goes into a lot more detail!

[@jinolin9062]

ngl doesnt the japanese gov also do the exact same thing to a much greater extent? pumping money into cultural expoets is nothing new and the cool korea and kpop movement was also modeled off japans adaik

[@datastreamer]

"Japan doing it the old way which hasn't worked" is your response on a video talking about there being TOO MANY tourists in Japan?

[@btsnoonafan6637]

Same. I used to LOVE jpop and jrock but would have a hard time finding music of artists i was interested in legally. Became a BTS fan and noticed that when BTS started gaining notoriety worldwide, getting #1s on billboard, etc...some Japaneses companies and groups tried catching up by making their artists more accessible but by then kpop had already taken over.

[@thonnytrombonni1676]

Tbf here in rio de janeiro all the street vendors have a “for gringos it is more expensive” and most tourists dont even get mad at it, most backlash comes from brazilians. There is certainly something to be learnt

[@davidmella1174]

In the west we like to get offended on the behalf of other groups haha

[@Nicole-kc1vx]

​@@davidmella1174 it cause many westerners truly haven't gotten over their colonisers mentality. I mean look at everyone complaining about this tourism thing, they are saying everyone is allowed to go wherever they want, that is straight up western mentality, the idea that nothing is sacred and everyone is entitled to anything they want, and this getting offended on other groups behalf (when they never asked for it) is yet again nosey ass colonisers behaviour. The worst thing is the people who usually hold these beliefs act extremely ashamed of the west coloniser past and pretend like they are spending their life trying to atone for their ancestors sins, yet they continue behaving like them when it suits them! 😂 I fucking hate western mentality.

[@marcellkuti4312]

maybe because the gringo price is dirt cheap as well. I mean, if an Austrian restaurant raised the price of a Wienerschnitzel from fucking 20 euros to 25 just because i'm a foreigner, that place would be in flames in a minute. But if a Brazilian food vendor charged me 2 euros instead of 1 euros for some street food, I wouldn't care less.

[@thonnytrombonni1676]

@@marcellkuti4312 thats on your country being ridiculously expensive because 10 euros can get you a really fancy all you can eat buffet here

[@marcellkuti4312]

@@thonnytrombonni1676 yeah, thats the point. thats why they can charge more. Westerners wont feel robbed if they spent 10 euros on a fancy meal, if they make fucking 4000 euros a month. While the brazilian guy will feel like they made the deal of their life. And man, dont think i dont understand your point, I'm no westerner. I'm a poor ass eastern european, who makes like 750 euro net a month, with prices almost the same as in the West.

[@sirmatthias95]

They do the “local discount” thing in the US too. Usually they check your state drivers license, and if you are from the same state you get the discount.

[@luisiana1121]

Yeah they try to do that with Disneyland here in Anaheim and yet it's still stupidly expensive where you have to purchase 3 days worth of tickets *at minimum*

[@John-fk2ky]

I don’t know any places that give statewide discounts. My local zoo will allow free entry one day a week during the summer after 2:00 to people in the local county, but that’s it.

[@speed_freak_1001]

My friend who lives in Setagaya-ku said that the local govt is closing the nearby park for the entire summer to prevent kids playing in the park from getting heatstroke. Problem solving

[@tsukuneboy]

Yeah Japan is the embodiment of "swept under the rug" for everything. They're so non-confrontational toward a problem they choose to circle around it

[@NationX]

Which park. There are like...a crap ton of them. Setagaya is huge

[@speed_freak_1001]

@@NationX Bajikoen

[@gotakazawa408]

What's the issue with that? That's standard. Is there another solution?

[@speed_freak_1001]

@@gotakazawa408 Why do you think that’s "standard"? The local government managing the park doesn't want to risk liability from unhappy parents. It’s like saying, “The internet has scammers, so let’s ban it.” Heatstroke in parks should be a personal responsibility. Banning the park won't solve kids getting heatstroke. Instead, educate kids on staying hydrated and advise parents to supervise their children more when they play outside.

[@calebbrown1677]

I hate how they act like they are not immigrants themselves.

[@emanroxx18]

One of the big issues at the lawsons was that its right next to a busy street, and people are standing in the middle of the road to get the picture. One of the intentions of the wall was to stop tourists from risking their lives. There's a live stream from onlyinjapan that shows off the location.

[@MillenniumDays]

Admittedly their are a tonne of Chinese tours anyone can book to get pictures of specific locations from popular instagram posts. This includes the Lawsons because there was a popular picture of it. The thing is it's also the easiest option to see Mt Fuji, most people don't care about the Lawsons but it's on the easiest tour to book. Ideally a better tour option would be better.

[@gotakazawa408]

Japan should tighten its tourist acceptance policies as soon as possible, as it's already being done for certain countries.

[@rekhaeichler8564]

This goes both ways though. I remember a small village in either Germany, Austria or Switzerland have built a wall at a place that got overrun because it was so idealistic and Ghibli-esque. Apparently both countries don't have the resources to get people-shovers, so that the traffic keeps on rolling. In the end we might all be inconsiderate because we want to take that shot. I am guilty of completely zoning out at times when I take photos.

[@ditta7865]

I think it might have been England because remember Ghibli. Most of its inspirations are England and there was actually a town listed as the most favorite place for Japanese tourists to go and they thought it was a tourist town and they were literally opening people's doors and coming into their house so they had to put signs on the doors to say in Japanese. This is a village where people live here. You can't open doors and go where you like. I have no idea if they built a wall or anything, but I know that they've put up a lot of signs in Japanese and they have the tourist guides telling them important things in Japanese.

[@michaeldrechfachs1547]

The village you're talking about is Hallstatt.

[@Zeioth]

In Malaga (Spain), we are falling in ruin due to over turism. Our corrupt politicians get comisions from constructors, so they use turism as a way to sell at X4 the price they normally could. As result it's impossible to access housing and 65% of people under 35 live with their parents. Some of my childhood friends are living in a van. This shit breaks my heart. I can only imagine how bad it has to be in japan. You guys have better laws, but also a lot more of people.

[@koolarooo]

If you go a bit out of the way and the tourists disappear. Last trip I went to a mountain town in Gifu and I went to this yakitori place for dinner and some locals ended up paying for all my food and inviting me to go izakaya hopping with them because I’m guessing they don’t see a whole lot of foreign tourists. Good times. I’ve never had a bad experience with people honestly even In Tokyo. I got lost trying to find a station once and I asked a dude for directions and he just ended up walking me there. Maybe times are changing because the media paints tourists in a bad light I’ll find out next trip I guess.

[@filtromisto]

Italy gets 57 millions tourists yearly and we're not even top 3, Japan gets 32 millions, and I live in Florence, so a tourist hot spot. They're obviously entitled to do whatever they want with their own country but this tourists ruining Japan thing is definitely being blown way out of proportion, tourists can be mildly annoying sometimes but that's about the extent of it, and a few annoying clout chasing streamers, which everybody gets, don't mean much in the grand scheme of things if not for rage baiting and easy good boy points in social media for people who attack them Loads of people fetishize Japan to something akin the sacred land of the gods that must be protected at all cost from foreign barbarians, which especially coming from foreigners is just weird as fuck.

[@Silk_WD]

Japan is on the same level as Austria, but with almost 14 times the population.

[@BC33714]

I think the difference is that places like Italy have been tourist hotspots for forever. And have have had DECADES to adapt. Just 10-15 years ago, hardly anyone was coming to Japan. Now everyone wants to come here. It’s spiraled so fast, so that’s why it’s been harder to adjust.

[@LoopyDreamz775]

I 100 percent agree with you, People legitimately think japan and Japanese people are perfect through and through, it’s weird and annoying.

[@LoopyDreamz775]

Also this attitude that foreigners are destroying japan is mostly coming from foreigners which I find hilarious

[@TallicaMan1986]

​@@LoopyDreamz775no that's what you just been exposed to.

[@Jetbytes]

Japan police see a woman getting harrassed/stalked: I sleep Japan police see kamen rider masks: ARRESTED!!! IN JAIL FOR 100 YEARS!!!

[@curiousadventuresof]

More than tourism, I think Japan has exposed a rude awakening for many people, especially Americans. Before it was a small handful of people saying "I want to move to Japan" now it's a mammoth, growing swath of people declaring "I WILL move to Japan."

[@phillydisc9708]

They talk about the declining population that is happening and coming. They cannot have babies fast enough, so they will need to bring people in from overseas to fill in the gaps.

[@microchipmatt]

These solutions definitely need a south park episode like yesterday. The whole situation needs a South Park episode.

[@LoopyDreamz775]

South Park is overrated.

[@guzer111777]

One thing to note. America does the "local pricing" thing and has done it in Hawaii for Hawaiian natives called kama'aina discounts. Considering Hawaii is a very traveled destination by Japanese tourists it seems they copied us.

[@FieryAnubis]

They shouldn't treat everyone the same just because some idiots ruin things for everyone by being disrespectful, etc. Case by case, all that.

[@LoopyDreamz775]

Unfortunately they will, Japan is already very xenophobic to westerns this is fueling the fire in their mind

[@j.k.7985]

My own experience as a tourist in Japan: We went to Sendai in May and were shocked at the long queue for the sightseeing bus. Because the bus only comes about twice an hour, there is a long line at the station, and you can't get on the bus at the following stops because it is so crowded. Such mismanagement could easily be solved by adding more buses during peak times. It would make the main station less crowded and give people easier access to the sights. Instead, there are station workers trying to manage the line.

[@jacquesmassard9226]

USA has local discounts all the time they just ask to see like your diver's license or etc... and boom free trip to the zoo/theater/park and etc... the fact that this seems strange to Japan is more weird to me.

[@John-fk2ky]

The key word is “local”. The largest “local” discount area I’ve ever seen is the county. The original Japanese idea, though I could be confused about this, seemed to be Japanese and non-Japanese, not people living in the city the business was in.

[@zettovyker]

Japan: Notice me Senpai! *tourism explodes* Japan: wait, no

[@s70driver2005]

Wait not like that!

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

Japan literally never implied anything like that. Weeb.

[@s70driver2005]

@itsgonnabeanaurfromme bro. It's a joke. And yea some people have talked about over tourism but in a few spots.

[@phillydisc9708]

The problem are the tour groups, the ones that drop bus loads of people into the same spots, and the people exist in a bubble. They don't need to interact with the locals to ask for assistance, everything is done for them. It's a delicate balancing act - Japan needs to tourist dollars to keep the economy going, but it can't deal with the over saturation in the same spots.

[@TallicaMan1986]

That shot needs to stop. Those are the single most rude types of tourists ever.

[@John_on_the_mountain]

@@TallicaMan1986those buses are the worst. Ever been to Yosemite when those Chinese tour buses are there? Its absolute madness

[@TallicaMan1986]

@@John_on_the_mountain nah i live in Westcoast BC so we have a bit of an intimate relationship. It's weird because their kids, kids are picking up some of the behaviors.

[@John_on_the_mountain]

@@TallicaMan1986 yeah i remember visiting Vancouver back in 2007 and i thought i was in Hong Kong lol

[@TallicaMan1986]

@@John_on_the_mountain it's India these days because Temporary Foreign Workers.

[@Redpantslol]

Discounts for locals is nothing new - and it DOES exist in the US. Even Disney does this - they have discounted prices at Disney World for Florida residents.

[@kipchika5989]

ffs they have foreign prices for college tuition where they charge them 5 times more than in state residents

[@John-fk2ky]

That’s state residents. The idea as presented here doesn’t seem to limit it to city or prefecture residents (all perfectly understandable and supportable), which would mean judging solely by appearance. That’s going to cause trouble at some point.

[@Redpantslol]

@@John-fk2ky foreign residents have ID cards that we carry all the times (we don't carry our passports). The ID card shows we are residents of Japan, regardless of appearance.

[@shinobix9]

As someone travelling to Japan in October I almost feel bad for wanting a holiday

[@mono8476]

i dont think u need to feel bad if ur not a nuisance tourist

[@Josh_Stuchbery]

Don't worry. They're incredibly kind people and they love foreigners. You're fine.

[@GaijinTV]

Don’t. You are going to love this! Gaijin TV

[@sampletext02]

Don't feel bad. As long as you're respectful, there's nothing wrong with you visiting.

[@choosejoy7526]

Absolutely not, I believe those individuals got charged unfairly. I lived in Japan and was part of a ministry where I would write to inmates and when I was given someone’s case it was absolutely ridiculous how stupid the sentencing is for foreigners and disgusting.

[@silentsnake820]

I dont think overtourism is the right word. Its people who go to the "main" things and everything is concentrated there

[@Dirtbagmoto1]

My grandmother is from Japan and moved back right before covid we would go back and visit here every year I am so obviously a foreigner and my Japanese is so broken I police man actually asked my grandmother if this tourist was bothering her..😢

[@HowlWorks]

I was looking at tours to Mount Fuji from different tour companies in Japan and half of them take you to that Lowson to take a photo! Maybe restricting tours companies would help 😅

[@ajastory]

I saw 6 people I knew go to Japan within the last month or so, 2 of which from my office went at the same week and didn’t even realize it until they left to go there. It’s wild right now.

[@rikokojima]

There’s an unwritten KPI in my office where at least one staff goes to Japan for a holiday this year

[@rotorhead4757]

Why didn't that town make the wall out of a clear material? Then the tourists could still get their picture, but they can't get in the street

[@idbw1274]

" 'Open the country. Stop having it be closed' said the united states" - history of japan

[@BQD_Central]

It would have been colonized otherwise, simply by the fact that East Asia was 100 years behind everyone else.

[@toyama307]

Wasnt one of the solutions to combat covid reduce the number of trains and also store hrs, therefore making more people use trains and stores at the same time

[@gotakazawa408]

Japan should tighten its tourist acceptance policies as soon as possible, as it's already being done for certain countries.

[@Dragonstar13]

Thank-you for explaining why tourists were going to that bus stop. I only heard that they were blocking off the view from Mt.Fuji, and didn't understand the context. I think what could help elevate some of the tourist pressure is to encourage returning tourists to visit less visited areas of Japan. I don't know, call it a secret or special tourist hidden jem to make them feel special and have them give those tourist money to areas that need it. Pretty sure there are other cities/islands around Japan that would love a lot of tourists to come their way. Just make sure it's a town/city that wants them there though, don't just make people flock to places where they just want peace and quiet.

[@sebastianrubio928]

The price thing, Barcelona already has it and common wtf, don't do it on appearance, you do it on ID & place of residence, a cousin of mine lives in Barcelone, it's fine, they have similar problems, insane tourism, too many airbnbs. I don't think many Japanese get it, there's is a thin line between reasonable policies and being xenophobic or just racist. I don't think it's a racism born out of bad intentions, but it is racism nonetheless. What I mean by this, some people are openly racist, they just don't care, but here they do care, but they're still being racist without realising.

[@BQD_Central]

Spain knows so much more about handling tourists then Japan it's not even funny. Spain would probably be some sort of third world country without the tourism. And besides Mallorca, I don't hear people complain. Sure Canary Islands, if you want to be poor again then ban the tourists. It's not like you have industry.

[@gotakazawa408]

Japan should not adopt what the West calls discrimination. Western countries currently demonstrate that they are deliberately fostering discrimination and failing to address it as an issue.

[@sebastianrubio928]

​@@BQD_Central completely ignoring my main point on not being racist? I mentioned this not because of how valid or unvalid this concept was, Japan is too notorious for it's discrimination based on simply being a foreigner. Second fail is the fact I said Barcelona, I did not say Spain, I did not mention Mallorca, Menorca, Canary Islands, etc... Stick to Barcelona, one of the richest cities in the world. Why do you think they want to split apart from the rest of country, been trying for years and why do you think the rest of your country won't let them; simple, because of money. Barca & Madrid are most of the money in Spain, remove either or even worse remove both and yes without any doubt, Spain is a third world country, though there are some other minor rich cities. Other Euro cities are doing the same thing, I got no idea how this will turn out, it was never my original point to begin with. Your last fail is the fact that the Spanish Economy got boosted in big part due to European Union, pre EU, Spain was for sure a third world country, access to investements and commerce and euro workers is what boosted Spain. Back then Spain already had the tourism, but it didn't make much of a difference. Go back to Barca, you have so many companies based there, driving the economy, tourism is only a part of the equation.

[@patsouthwood1397]

I have been to Japan 13 times since 2000. The only rude tourists I have ever come have across all come from one single country beginning with the letter C. Boy are they rude.

[@gotakazawa408]

Japan should tighten its tourist acceptance policies as soon as possible, as it's already being done for certain countries.

[@jamesc3953]

I came across a very rude American once. Dude was harassing some guy in a train

[@porcelaincrown]

To be fair most of the rude tourists come from rural China or from older Chinese, so it’s inevitable that growing up in crippling poverty paired with a very closed off view of the world means a lot of people 1. Couldn’t afford to have good manners as resources were so limited (and no just because you were “poor” in a developed country doesn’t hold a candle to the poor these people experienced) paired with 2. Being isolated from the wider internet discourse. This means that as China suddenly had a meteoric rise in wealth, when these people went out to travel, many of them had no idea of the global etiquette expected of them. I understand it can be hard, but at least these people have a reason I can understand. American tourists on the other hand, ah well.

[@BigHeadClan]

I’d hope you didn’t mean Canada, I felt really at home in Japan a lot of similar customs and mentalities. 😅 In my trip there last year Australians were probably the worst of the tourists I saw.

[@patsouthwood1397]

@@BigHeadClan No, CH...

[@raxkiyamatocarlos2102]

Was in Japan last year. Was just fine to me. amazing place. Wanna return.

[@ausername8699]

If I ever go to Japan, it will definitely be in the off-season of fall/winter.

[@BC33714]

There doesn’t really seem to be an “off” season anymore in this post-COVID era of Japan hysteria. There is busy season and even-busier season.

[@mr.jellyfish5544]

It’s busy all times of the year. You might find some spots every season where it’s uneventful and locals are busy, but at least 45 weeks out of the year (a guesstimate), it’s gonna be packed.

[@double16]

You can just see in Grant’s face that he doesn’t agree with Connor and Joey 💀

[@joolyamello]

Here in Rio we have the "Carioca Pass" that gives cheeper prices to people who live in the city. This stimulated locals to visit more tourist places at the same time that prices are higher to turists. We welcome thousands of turists each Carnaval every year, so is a matter of adapting and valuing the profit that this people bring to the city.

[@bobboberson8297]

I was just in japan and the tourism levels were literally fine

[@chingatu6644]

Really? Did you visited every single place and stayed at everything single moment during the day to make such statement?

[@ivanfurst4969]

@@chingatu6644Who are you bro?

[@chingatu6644]

@@ivanfurst4969 somebody that calls out BS

[@JustMilo702]

@@chingatu6644r/sigma 😂

[@inyobase127]

​@chingatu6644 try harder. Don't worry, Japan doesn't need you to defend it's tourism.

[@distortedinfo]

Hawaii has local prices for things. Disney has a local price for residents of the state. Vegas charges you a whole bunch of fees on top of your hotel bill.

[@hunterlord101]

I find it fascinating that when faced with an issue like the Lawson Fuji thing or the tree thing, they chose the nuclear option of putting a black screen up and cutting the tree down. A similar thing happened in Korea with native English teachers roughly a decade ago. Basically, some schools would let you go home once you finished your lessons and if you were set for the next day. A few teachers ended up at schools with stickler administrative staff that made them stay the full workday. These teachers complained, and the program's solution to this was to make 'everyone' stay their full workdays. Instead of trying to smooth things out, find a compromise, or make things better- everyone suffers more. I'm not sure what this method of problem solving is, but I really don't get it.

[@kayakfishinghokkaido9884]

As a permanent resident of Japan for a couple of decades, like many others, I've gained a deep appreciation for the unique qualities that make Japan exceptional. Many newcomers arrive and, with good intentions, treat Japan as if it needs their guidance, yet forget Japan is one of the world's most peaceful countries and one of the top five largest economies. Instead of attempting to find out what's "wrong", immerse yourself in understanding what makes Japan so wonderful. If, after time, you find it isn't a fit for you, cherish the experience and continue your journey. Japan will continue to flourish in its unique way.

[@TheGamingAlong]

Sorry I strongly disagree with 2 things: 1. The Lawson with Mt Fuji background should NOT be a tourist spot because it's a very cramped residential place, but tourist vans keeps coming there. 2. Implementing dual pricing for tourists is not "racist": many other countries implementing the same thing too at tourist spots, for example Taj Mahal and national museum in some countries.

[@tompaauwe4565]

I don't think they say it's racist, in fact understandable. Just that in the western world this would be seen as immoral in their cultural context.

[@_heartunderblade2451]

Outcomes are what count, not intentions. The outcome is judging people by race because its the only mechanism you can use. That is inherently racist

[@John-fk2ky]

The only places I’ve ever seen for discounts based on location is for people in the local city. The idea here seems to be different prices for Japanese people and non-Japanese people regardless of where they live (meaning Japanese tourists get a discount despite being tourists). That’s a disaster waiting to happen.

[@TallicaMan1986]

​@@tompaauwe4565that's why we get walk all over and is why our countries are quickly becoming India or China.

[@westsportTV]

I got back from Japan a month ago and I've never felt more welcome in another country. People bend over backwards to help make your experience better.

[@thompsonlim3247]

It's funny that Connor complained about the whole having two price policy for locals and tourists, while he got scammed for paying a premium for Pad Thai and a Tuk Tuk (which is very common across Asia, not only exclusive to Japan)

[@Thunder025]

They should have put the tarp behind the LAWSON so it covers the view of the mount Fuji but oh well...

[@stephenhoyle2469]

Could they not build an Observation tower and charge people to go up it?

[@kengo7273]

Around there Mt. Fuji can be seen from anywhere. People want to take pictures of the Lawson under Mt. Fuji just like the iconic post on IG or X or whatever.

[@kmch7286]

No need for tower. Just a small photo stage at the Lawson's parking lot. 100 yen for 3 minutes.

[@ed1rko17]

This isn't a Japan specific problem, but rather, a new problem for Japan. Locals wherever you go don't like tourists. Some places more than others. But tourism is always seen as a bit of a nuisance to residents of the area.

[@gunplakiwi]

It’s always foreigners in Japan telling other foreigners what to do

[@kirjstenblodgett1704]

idk if the laws in Japan will allow this but maybe businesses could do what DisneyLand does. Bring your ID or residency card to get a locals discount. DisneyLand specifies it by zip code in the USA and is pretty transparent about it.

[@freakishuproar1168]

I think Japan will have to find a balance between maintaining their cultural values and accommodating foreign influences, and each side will inevitability have to compromise. Even beyond tourism, Japan is facing a fertility and work/life balance crisis that I doubt it can solve by itself without diversifying it's population.

[@Drownedinblood]

So more Koreans and Chinese right?

[@particulatoraccelerator8690]

@@Drownedinblood yeah no black, white, indian or arabic people.

[@Drownedinblood]

@@particulatoraccelerator8690 They are usually the biggest immigrant and minority groups so they'd do the most when it comes to balancing out Japan's population.

[@TeddyB3ARGaming]

It’s more complicated than that That’s like saying someone who lived a certain way to give up some of their values to accommodate newcomers. That’s not gonna happen. Conservatives will be conservatives. The best way to approach this is through education and promoting cultural exchanges. But that will still not solve the rude tourists that come in. Some of the tourists’ disrespect is abysmal, such as touching maiko and geisha on the streets of Kyoto. Taking pics of them without permission. It’s absolutely insanity even outside of Japan. Unfortunately a lot of the tourists coming in are just low human beings with no social values. In reality, it’s just gonna be treated as a phase rather than actually finding a “solution”

[@freakishuproar1168]

@@Drownedinblood Why not? I'm not sure whether you're being sincere or making some incredibly lazy racist point, but given you replied to that nazin0nc£ called particulatoraccelerator below, I'm leaning towards the latter vibe. Either way I must thank you for being an excellent example of the kind of r£t@rd£d ethnic exceptionalism that Japan should avoid.

[@fauzirahman3285]

They could put in measures that allows money earned from tourists to go towards making things better towards tourism while also helping the locals but instead just choose to discourage tourism instead.

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

Japan only gets the same amount of tourists as tiny Austria.

[@kojimayoshiyuki2728]

I was in kyoto last march and it was so bad, I ended up walking around all night just trying to find a place to eat, so many shops were full or in the case of ikura had like a 3 hour wait, its sad I love cherry blossom season and kyoto but I dont think ill go to hanami in kyoto for quite a while because of the over tourism. I dont fault people for wanting to go there but its just not built for that many people.

[@peaceweapon1933]

Japan after COVID: Please, I’m begging you, our small tourist towns dying, please come to Japan 😢😭😭 Japan now: Can you guys go away please, you are a plague on our enlightened society

[@gotakazawa408]

The government, tourism industry, and general public should not be seen as representing the same entity as "JAPAN." To be frank, the promotion of tourism is something desired primarily by the government and tourism industry, not necessarily by us, the general public of Japan.

[@peaceweapon1933]

@@gotakazawa408 I’d love to not have literal hordes of Asian tourists clogging up our towns either. They spend hours taking pictures and they don’t care about anyone else’s experience. But we don’t shun or shame them, we adapt. Because at the end of the day they wanna experience our country, and we should welcome them

[@Keaixiaoen0919]

I haven't been in Japan aside from the airport. But even just from the airport the people who were there gave me a lot of anime convention vibes

[@7thHourFilms]

Sounds like Japan is a reverse-tsundere. Instead of "I say I don't like you but I really do" it's "I said I like you but I really don't."

[@gotakazawa408]

Basically, the promotion of tourism was decided by the national and local governments, as well as the tourism industry. It may not always align with the preferences of the Japanese people. On the other hand, Japanese people have a long tradition of hospitality towards guests, so the current situation is that the government is leveraging this national trait at no cost.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

basically tatemae

[@gotakazawa408]

@@wiandryadiwasistio2062 In this case, it's not "tatemae." It's a difference of opinion between the government and the residents. In any country, what the government says is not always aligned with the views of all its citizens.

[@osooso6027]

I was there a couple months ago and the majority of the time I didnt see tourists unless i went to like Akiba or central Shibuya but most places i went i was the only white guy I even went to popular clubs on weekend nights and art galleries and things and still barely saw tourists if you actually explore youll get out the tourist areas v easily but youll need to know Japanese

[@BC33714]

I think you’re making the mistake of assuming tourists = only white people. If you check the official data JNTO published for May 2024, South Korea, Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan contributed nearly 2 million of the 3.04 million tourists who visited in that month. Or around 67%. So there were certainly way more tourists than you thought, you just assumed they were all Japanese.

[@Brandon20854]

They already do discounts in Hawaii for local people. It's called kama aina discount and no one gets angry. Usually you get like 10-20% off

[@Ariennon]

As someone who’s in Japan rn, I can confirm it is FLOODED with tourists. When I first arrived here, the line for the tourists passport check was INSANE. Thankfully, I have a dual citizenship for Japan (since my mother is Japanese) and I could easily get in with the residential passport check. And not to mention how almost every single place I went to here, there were either 1-2 tourists or dozens of them depending on the location. But a lot of them are very polite and looked like they researched a lot about this country. So far, I haven’t seen that many rude tourists (probably because I haven’t been to the big areas like Shibuya or Harajuku yet). So I don’t think we need THAT big of a guide if all the tourists I saw so far haven’t caused that big of a scene. All you really need to do here is act polite, be quiet and you won’t be judged. Also if you’re wondering why I’m judging other tourists when I’m one too is because I’ve been here multiple times and I’m also from here, I just don’t live here. But, I have a Japanese citizenship and I travel here often (idk why I wrote that last part, I was just concerned if anyone was going to doubt me)

[@marcellkuti4312]

mate japan is not flooded with tourists, its just that you have no infrastructure to deal with even a mediocre amount of them. Everything is smooth and sailing in European tourists hotspots, which get WAAAAAY more tousrists than Japan. Just imagine, that Greece gets 36 million tourists, with a population of 10 million. In Japan you get like 0.2 tourist for one resident, the greek get 3.6. Like.. you feel the difference, right? Or Spain. 85 million tourists yearly. The country is third the size of japan. And believe me, they surely experience the dickhead tourists, as they receive so many Britons trying to get off the steam. The country with comparable tourist masses to Japan is Austria, with the same 25 million amount. Just imagine. Austria is nowhere compared to the real tourist destinations. I have toured to Austria many times, and they deal with it perfectly, all while there is only 9 million of them.

[@Ironcladsocial]

It's so strange to me that things like this even happen because I remember back in like 2013 that Japan threw a lot of money into tourism because it just wasn't a popular place to go and now that everybody wants to go to Japan. Japan doesn't want anybody showing up, which is weird, and then there's solutions to some of the things that they consider to be problems is strange.

[@TallicaMan1986]

Yeah it had unforeseen consequences. The same happened with Vancouver Canada. It was literally a nothing city 20 years ago. In the last 15 years tourism has become so ridiculous that most of our restaurants and stores are catered to that nonsense. Meaning our already expensive city is more expensive because we're we're a tourists attraction now. Tourists are also so god damn annoying. We have a culture people. You don't ge tto come here and overwrite our rules and culture just because you see yourself apart of a superior culture. Pretty much everyone from every country from Europe will have people who see themselves as better because they act like they built hair country and that their culture is just so kuch better amd their food is just thst much better. Like get the f out of here. This city was great before yall started showing up and standing on the wrong side of escalators, walking on the wrong side of sidewalks, walking on bike paths and so much more annoying bullshit that only happens because of tourism. And to make matters worse. We literally have signs to point his stiff out that people Do not Read. Tourism is legit retarded. I don't care if 90% of you are behaved. That 10% will make sire that it feels like it's 50% that isn't behaving. Also we don't even need tourism. That's just people who make money from tourism peddling that.

[@iddqd2]

Around 2019-ish, when Japan was preparing for the Olympics, I told my co-workers that I don't think Japan is ready for the surge of tourists. Covid happened, so they dodged it back then, but there's no dodging it now.

[@aajohnsoutube]

The tourism level was almost the same going into COVID. The difference now is the country became poor and resent the tourists.

[@gotakazawa408]

Tourist morale and spending have decreased compared to before the pandemic. Japan should tighten its tourist acceptance policies as soon as possible, as it's already being done for certain countries.

[@INITIALD.MFGHOST]

In Hawaii, some businesses give a local discount. You prove it by showing them a Hawaii state ID

[@harshgautam97]

So that Lawson situation is definitely not as simple as Connor made it out to be. The tourists were most definitely not just showing up there because it was convenient, there were many instances of people pulling up in cars only to take photos of the thing. On top of that, they wouldn’t take photos from the Lawson’s parking lot because that was too close to the convenience store, so they’d all cross the street and set up full blown tripod camera setups for their “perfect shot”. Now mind you, they were all doing this on a narrow footpath, meant for people to walk on and go about their business. Plus, this part of the footpath is the front area of a dentist’s office, who was the one who had initially complained about this to the local government as he was quite unpleased about the number of people clogging up the front of his business. That is why the tarp was put up across the street, I.e. in front of his office, and not behind the Lawson. I can go on, but the point is, that issue just doesn’t have a simple solution.

[@gotakazawa408]

That's right, Connor and his friends are just bringing up this topic as outsiders who find it amusing. They have no intention of actually resolving the issue. Their goal seems to be to demonstrate superiority by poking fun at Japan and profiting from it.

[@afroabroad]

@@gotakazawa408Yeah because a few guys on a podcast can solve Japan’s issue of over tourism. God forbid they blame it on the “Chinese” like a lot of people do.

[@grossi384]

so what if the dentist complains? you live with it or not, how is it tourists problem he found a bad spot for his business

[@harshgautam97]

@@grossi384 I can’t tell if this is really bad sarcasm or just good old retardation.

[@williamgregory1848]

I’m planning on going to Japan in December, so it’s nice to watch this before I start making plans 😂

[@Delbzy]

Over-Tourism is ruining everywhere tbf lmao

[@Tompii]

I've wanted to go to Japan for atleast a decade now and seeing the news of Gion shutdown because of tourists etc, just destroy's the little of hope of getting to Japan and experience it. Spain with Barcelona, Malta and Canary islands are also having major anti-tourism waves going on, what the f happened to tourists during the pandemic?

[@seductive_Octopus]

Asians in General - plz behave, plz no photos here, don't do this, don't do that etc .. Asians as a Tourists themselves - photographs everything, blocks the way in a group that is loud af, forces you to speak there language if they need directions. (I see it every day. 😮‍💨 believe me, living next to a tourist spot sucks hard. So i can understand them but also see there doublestandards. )

[@chasejoseph]

Chinese as Tourists*

[@idk-by3cp]

@@chasejosephYou are a white man, why are you repeating japanese nationalist talking points? You will never be japanese, you will never be asian. You are also considered lower class.

[@deificGashsaucer]

Koreans as Tourist

[@subramag]

Bro thinks all Asians act alike.

[@tazzjazz]

Bro saw 0.0001 percent asians and thought this is the reality.

[@marcelleblanc1991]

I lived in Montreal, Quebec before and noticed my English speaking friends who were visiting paid more for stuff like entry at La Ronde, Biosphere and Botanical Gardens. It seems to be mainly targeted at foreigners and tourists.

[@Necroskull388]

7:03 "Do you think Japanese culture wants that though?" Money? Yeah, kinda. Sorta self-evident with the tourist-facing businesses in Tokyo (like those fucking go-karts). Idk, I think that people ascribe way too much "exceptionalism" to Japanese culture, where they treat it as completely separate from the rest of humanity, but like... They like money. They like people admiring their culture. They don't like disrespect, or obnoxious or loud people. I don't think they're really any different from any other place when it comes to how they feel about tourists, it's just the out-of-touch old men running things that are weird about it.

[@Necroskull388]

And I think that Joey saying that the people living there are thinking, "the extra money is cool but I want peace more" is dead wrong. The reason residents turn against tourism isn't because they're getting money but don't want it, it's because they're NOT getting the money -- that money is going to business owners. And they're getting priced out of their own homes as tourism ramps up and the land value increases. It's very, VERY rare for people profiting off of tourism to start opposing it -- the people who oppose tourism are the people who are dealing with the downsides but aren't getting any of the profits. Which sucks -- I think that the profits from tourism should overwhelmingly be returned to the community, so that it can be a constructive relationship for all involved.

[@gotakazawa408]

Basically, the promotion of tourism was decided by the national and local governments, as well as the tourism industry. It may not always align with the preferences of the Japanese people. On the other hand, Japanese people have a long tradition of hospitality towards guests, so the current situation is that the government is leveraging this national trait at no cost.

[@jamesc3953]

I think Garnt was questioning whether or not the Japanese think the trade off between status quo and money was worth it. The Japanese seem to value their common sense and don't like to be inconvenienced.

[@gotakazawa408]

@@jamesc3953 It is becoming increasingly recognized that Japanese people place great importance on common sense, but I think we tend not to consider the trade off with money. Japan's social structures and products, such as infrastructure, are convenient, but many of them are made with the consumer in mind.

[@jamesc3953]

@@gotakazawa408 Do you think Japanese people are starting to wise up to the tradeoffs? With such a rich culture, inviting people comes with risk if mismanaged

[@emssasukeisunderrated7946]

Just to note on the Lawson's near in I believe Kawaguchiko... yea Connor it was actually cause the spot got popular off of instagram and social media. Sure, it is near a bus stop (not sure about a train stop) and is in a residential area where it's one lane each side of the road. The problem with that area was to take "the photo" you would've had to go on the other side of the road where there's 1) businesses and 2) only a side walk. People were causing traffic incidents. John Daub from Only in Japan went over this and covered it really well. And it was mostly all tourists that stopped at a random Lawson with not even great views

[@xtr.7662]

Thats why i chose to be allocated to nagoya

[@koolarooo]

Ah yes Japan’s most boring city, as voted on by japan.

[@xtr.7662]

@@koolarooo most boring doesnt mean its not good to live and i can always go to tokyo by metro been doing that sometimes for the few months ive been here

[@Sugarman96]

I feel unreasonably angry by their solution for the tree

[@azriakmal98]

I was there the day they put up the Lawson wall. People literally went to a sidestreet at the side with a train track and now they crowd a random Japanese home instead of the Lawson lol

[@gotakazawa408]

Surely you didn't just leave it like that? Japan should tighten its tourist acceptance policies as soon as possible, as it's already being done for certain countries.

[@azriakmal98]

@@gotakazawa408 from my personal experience the main problem is that the tourists are too concentrated at the same couple of locations but other less known attractions were literally empty. Take the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto for example, everyday it is so damn packed that during midday you can't even walk through but around the area and even around Kyoto there are so many other bamboo forests that look exactly the same as Arashiyama. So the challenge is for the government to spread these tourists to the lesser known sites so that no one particular place will be overwhelmed. Everyone comes to Kyoto and just goes to the same places, so the gov should promote other areas like Uji, Ine, Amanohashidate etc instead to lessen the strain on Gion, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu etc.

[@gotakazawa408]

@@azriakmal98 Your response is definitely something the government should consider. On the other hand, honestly, the promotion of tourism was decided by the national and local governments, as well as the tourism industry. It may not always align with the preferences of the Japanese people. On the other hand, Japanese people have a long tradition of hospitality towards guests, so the current situation is that the government is leveraging this national trait at no cost.

[@SolomonsNightmare]

About the double pricing, even if I think it's kinda sad because it shows the crippled state of the Japanese economy, I don't think this is something wrong. Every touristic places in the world have tourists traps. Like Paris, New York, Roma, etc... Or, for Japan, you can take places like Kyoto, Kamakura or Tsukiji. The difference in Shibuya is that it has both a lot of tourists and locals, and dual pricing is a way to cater both. Another issue for restaurants/izakayas in Shibuya is that tourists are often less profitable than locals since they tend to consume less alcohol.

[@DaveCoakley]

I've been to Japan. Before going I (genuinely) spent 3 years researching in depth how their culture works and how to avoid causing offence. Countless Abroad in Japan and other content provider videos, where I took in the advice on how to act. So I feel somewhat qualified to comment: They are xenophobes. They don't want immigration. They don't want the bother/hassle/potential embarrassment of having to speak to foreigners. They don't want tourism. Yet their country is dying, the population is crashing, their demographics are aging massively and as a result the economy is in the toilet. I follow a popular Japanese chap who's in his 50's on youtube, who repeatedly puts out videos saying "Japan is dying". He's not the only one. They'll never learn, they are like Americans who can't understand how and why another school has been shot up, while the rest of the world looks at them like "well....yeah., because...America".

[@tyyg9469]

This is based on the assumption that their only source of income is tourism, which it isnt.

[@DaveCoakley]

@@tyyg9469 I’m not assuming their only source of income is tourism. Much of their economy is derived from tech, finance, manufacturing. The problem is at least two out of those three main industries can and will be automated/AI. The Japanese salaryman is F’d in ten years time. But every time you think ‘ok this will create a major attitude adjustment from them’ it simply doesn’t. If anything they double down. They’re in serious trouble in my opinion as a going concern as a country.

[@tyyg9469]

@@DaveCoakley you’ve got to think positive, not see the negative in everything. They’ll find a way to deal with AI, just like everyone else. Humans are a very adaptable species

[@soullesscadmium30]

Honestly the zairyu card is a good solution. Since most places have a reception anyway for tickets and as a student in Japan I'm always showing my student id for discounts. If they want to restrict tourists they can just make you show your zairyu card or Japanese passport or something

[@winterphuntasm]

There's nothing wrong with overtourism, it's a good sign of economy. Problem is tourists aren't behaving and don't have manners.

[@LoopyDreamz775]

That’s probably only a small amount tho

[@rikokojima]

There’s an unwritten KPI in my office where at least one staff per month who would be going to Japan for a holiday

[@gotakazawa408]

I would like to share some important information. There is a KZbin channel called 'Mayuhina' run by an actual Maiko/Geiko. She speaks fluent English, so I strongly recommend watching it as much as possible. It's much more beneficial than watching a video like this and getting a misunderstanding.

[@Gsjsjdhkslsls]

Maybe I haven't been watching TT lately, but I've never seen Joey get interrupted many times in one episode. 😅

[@barsona]

that's what you get when the country's leaders are out of touch, or fossils that don't understand shit. you should talk about the tokyo mayoral election and how carzy some of the candidates are.

[@gotakazawa408]

These three idiots have no right to talk about Japan.