overtourism Archives - Unseen Japan

Purple orchid blossoms floating in a round stone water basin in a raked-gravel Japanese garden with bamboo at Seiraiin

“Insta-Pests”: Why A Kyoto Temple Reportedly Banned Kimono-Clad Visitors

The temple's crackdown on visitors wearing flashy clothing isn't aimed just at tourists, but at influencers in general.

Woman on a hotel bed looking out a wide window at a coastal sea view, beside a wooden table and two orange chairs

Tokyo Overhauls Lodging Tax as Accommodation Fees Spread Across Japan

Most inbound tourists won't notice it, but the increase will enable Tokyo to better accommodate the rising wave of travelers.

Minimalist MUJI hotel room with a wood desk, two chairs, a grey daybed, and three round wall artworks

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MUJI Opens “Anti-Tourism” Hotel in Busiest Tourist Location in Kyoto

MUJI's latest BASE hotel pitches itself as "anti-tourism." So why is it in one of the most heavily touristed parts of Japan?

An ANA Boeing 787 climbs after takeoff past Tokyo Skytree and the city skyline at dusk

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Japan Just Made Visiting More Expensive: Departure Tax, Visa Fees Jump

On the same day that departure tax and visa fees for travelers went up, passport application fees for Japanese nationals went down.

Illustration of a red rescue helicopter flying over snow-capped Mt. Fuji under a cloud-dotted blue sky

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Japan May Charge for Mt. Fuji Rescues. But Tourists Aren’t the Real Problem

Shizuoka Prefecture considers the measure as more inbound tourists than ever find themselves in distress during the off-season. But are inbound travelers…

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JR East’s New “Luna Azul” Overnight Express Revives Japan’s Sleeper-Train Era

Do you miss Japan's sleeper trains? If JR East has its way, they may be mounting a comeback. Learn how to ride…

Woman looking thoughtful in front of Japanese yen banknotes and coins

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Shibuya’s Littering Fine Targets Both Tourists and Trashy Locals

Who's making Shibuya a worse place to live? The ward rolls out a new fine targeting not just tourists, but messy locals.

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The Most Common Japan Travel Regrets – and How to Avoid Them

Enjoying your time in Japan requires knowing a few things that don't go viral. Here's what we've learned from working with our…