Japan's popular tourist destination Kyoto to hike hotel taxes to combat overtourism

Kyoto authorities announced Tuesday plans to hike lodging taxes as Japans ancient capital seeks to assuage grumbles from locals about too many touristsLured by its myriad sights and a weak yen Japan has seen foreign tourism numbers explode in recent years with arrivals in 2024 expected to have hit a record of more than 35 millionBut like other hotspots worldwide such as Venice in Italy or Maya Bay in Thailand this is not universally welcome particularly in traditionsteeped KyotoThe city which is a modest bullet train ride away from Tokyo with a view of Mount Fuji on the way is famed for its kimonoclad geisha performers and Buddhist templesResidents have complained of disrespectful tourists harassing the geisha like paparazzi in their frenzy for photos as well as causing traffic congestion and litteringFor rooms costing between 20000 and 50000 yen 127317 per night visitors will now see their tax double to 1000 yen 635 per person per night under the new plansFor accommodation over 100000 yen per night it will soar tenfold to 10000 yen The new levies will take effect next year subject to approval from the city assemblyWe intend to hike accommodation tax to realise sustainable tourism with a high level of satisfaction for citizens tourists and businesses a statement said Cigarette butts Tensions are highest in the Gion district home to teahouses where geiko the local name for geisha and their maiko apprentices perform traditional dances and play instrumentsLast year authorities moved to ban visitors from entering certain narrow private alleys in Gion after pressure from a council of local residentsOne council member told local media about an instance of a maikos kimono being torn and another who had a cigarette butt put in her collarIn 2019 the Gion district council put up signs saying no photography on private roads warning of fines of up to 10000 yenI appreciate tourists visiting the city but there are also some downsides like the impact on the environment resident DaichiHayase told AFP welcoming the new taxesBut it doesnt mean the city should impose excessive taxes Tourists are coming despite painful inflation the 38yearold photographer saidIf theres a burden on the infrastructure I do think taxing tourists is a good idea said Australian tourist Larry Cooke 21But he said that the city had to find the right balance Fuji blocked Tourism has been booming for over a decade in Japan with foreign arrivals rising fivefold between 2012 and when the Covid pandemic torpedoed foreign travel in 2020Since restrictions were lifted and the government is hoping to welcome 60 million tourists per year by 2030 almost double last years expected totalAuthorities have also taken steps beyond Kyoto including introducing an entry fee and a daily cap on the number of hikers climbing Mount FujiLast year a barrier was briefly erected outside a convenience store with a spectacular view of the famous snowcapped volcano that had become a magnet for photohungry visitorsAnd in December Ginzan Onsen a Japanese hot spring town with madeforInstagram snowy scenes began stopping anyone arriving after 800 pm if they dont have a hotel bookedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever