Japan Takes On Mass Tourism.

The Problem of Mass Tourism in Japan

According to the latest data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, the number of tourists in the country is higher than before the pandemic.

Only in September of this year, 2.87 million tourists visited Japan, which is 31.5% more than in September 2023 and 26% more than in 2019.

This increase in the number of tourists also affects the yen's exchange rate. The Japanese authorities blame foreigners for the decline of the national currency, which has reached a historic low in recent weeks.

To protect the environment, Japan is introducing entry taxes into the country. For example, Mount Fuji has limited the number of visitors to 4,000 per day and started charging a fee of 2,000 yen (528 UAH) for climbing the Yoshida Trail, which is the most popular among climbers.

Also, following some European cities, Japan is introducing a tourist tax per person and per night. For example, in Kyoto this tax ranges from 200 to 1,000 yen (52-264 UAH), and on the island of Hokkaido, it is up to 2,000 yen (528 UAH). In addition, the country is preparing to introduce other measures to combat overtourism, but detailed information is not disclosed.

Japan is one of the leading countries for unwelcoming tourism. This is due to its closed nature and cultural differences that often fascinate tourists from Europe.