Overtourism in Japan isn’t just a matter of inconvenience – it’s an issue of tourist safety. That point was driven home this week by a tragic incident in Hokkaido where a woman trying to grab a picture was struck by a train.
STV News reports that the accident occurred in Otaru, Hokkaido, at Asari Station. A tourist in her 60s reportedly made her way onto the tracks of the Hakodate Line to get a picture, where she was struck by an oncoming New Chitose Airport-bound express train.
The woman was taken to a nearby hospital. She died of her injuries shortly thereafter.
Japanese sources say the woman was a Chinese national. South China Morning Post reports that the victim was a 61-year-old from Hong Kong.
The area along the line generally has trees and houses that obscure any view. However, the location where the woman was struck has an opening with a view of the ocean. The victim and her husband reportedly trespassed onto the line to snap a pic from this spot.
An unexpected tourist spot
Local reports say that the location near Asari has become popular as a “hidden” tourist spot due to its beautiful views, particularly in the winter. Writing on Yahoo! News JP, journalist Nakajima Kei says that the area is especially popular among Chinese tourists due to its use as a location in the Chinese film Cities in Love, while the city of Otaru itself is one of the settings for the Japanese film Love Letter.
Tourists often go onto the tracks near Asari to snap pictures after trains pass through. Even after the accident, reporters observed people entering the tracks to take photos.
Some experts are calling for tour companies to prepare customers better for travel to Japan. Others are calling for increased tourism fees to better fund safety measures to keep people safe and preserve local landmarks.
This is the second controversy involving a tourist spot in Hokkaido this month. Earlier this month, city officials in Biei said they will fell a grove of white birch trees partly due to overtourism. Both the Biei and Asari Station locations show how Japan’s huge influx of tourists is causing unlikely spots to become sudden tourist attractions.
Other areas have also implemented measures to reduce overtourism and keep both locals and tourists safe. Kamakura has put up security cameras at a location made famous by the anime Slam Dunk. Meanwhile, the town of Fujiyoshida has put up a black curtain to reduce road congestion near a Lawson convenience store that’s become a popular Mt. Fuji photo spot.
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