A new problem in Kyoto coined "tourism pollution," meaning over-tourism has become a serious concern in Kyoto City, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. In Gion, a local organization has begin calling for a ban on unauthorized photography in public places. The city plans to launch a tourism campaign titled "Quality Over Quantity" with hopes of attracting the world's wealthiest individuals. In the city center, hotel prices have increased, land prices are rising, and the shortage of office space has become dire. The city government has taken measures to ease the burden by relaxing building height restrictions in certain areas.

Please Don't Chase the Geisha!

Local governments have begin calling for a ban on unauthorized photography and videos since last October in Gion, Kyoto, which has seen a spike in the number of foreign tourists. The area has become famous for "Geisha Chasing," the act of seeking out Japanese geisha in the streets specifically to take pictures of them. Numerous signs in various languages, along with illustrations, have been erected to inform international tourists that the behavior is unacceptable. Although there is currently no law to enforce the signage, the goal is to deter would-be violators.

Gion is popular for its traditional wooden houses and cobblestone streets, and about 40% of tourists visiting Kyoto come to the area for sightseeing. Besides the "Geisha Chasing," tourists have also been stepping into shops solely to take photos or selfies, much to the annoyance of local shop owners. Shop owners have complained that the behavior has ruined the atmosphere and forced away local regular customers. Starting last September, Kyoto and other cities have begun to inform tourists of the proper etiquette in Japan through smartphone notifications.

Attracting Wealthy Tourists

Kyoto City and its tourist associations in seeking to curb this behavior are now focusing their attention on attracting wealthy tourists only. This past September, a seminar with the aim of attracting companies and developers who cater to wealthy clientele to the city garnered the attention of 120 hotel and tourism agencies, twice the expected amount.

"Wealthy individuals need to experience the places and experiences that aren't usually accessible to the general public, and be treated with the highest level of hospitality," said Regency Group Chairman and President, who attended the event. Reports show that some wealthy overseas visitors spend nearly 5 million yen ($45,460) for a 3 to 4-night stay in Kyoto. He added that "There are more high-class tourists than I ever imagined! I need to think about how to prepare for them all." 

Kyoto City is a core member of the Japan Luxury Travel Alliance, which was established by seven local governments in 2016 to attract wealthy overseas tourists — promoting a strategy that focuses on the quality of tourists rather than the quantity. Successful campaigns have led to the opening of high-end hotels such as Park Hyatt Kyoto in Higashiyama and Aman Kyoto near Kinkakuji.

Office Space Shortage

To cope with the shortage of office space, Kyoto City has eased restrictions on building height on the west side of Tambaguchi Station. For offices and research facilities that meet certain conditions, such as a site area of 1,000 square meters or more, the upper height limit has been raised from 20 meters high, which is about 6 stories, to 31 meters, about 9 to 10 stories. Other measures taken include the easing of floor area ratios in areas near Nijo Station and Kyoto Station, where Nintendo's former headquarters is located. 

While the development is difficult in the city center due to the scarcity of land, the city has planned to use areas outside the city center to focus on new development. Tambaguchi Station, Nijo Station, and southern Kyoto Station are both close to Kyoto Station and near the highway entrance. Land prices in these locations are also lower than in the city center.

While it may be difficult to judge how visitors will react in regards to the city's new focus on wealthy tourists and if companies will want to locate their offices outside of the city center, the city's government has shown that their priority will be placed on minimizing the effect of increased tourism and booming business on Kyoto's historic scenery.

Source: Nikkei

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