overtourism Archives - Unseen Japan

Shuri Castle's red main hall seen across its stone plaza, with dragon roof ornaments and stone pillars flanking the stairs

Shuri Castle’s Main Hall is Reopening. Here’s How to Visit

Seven years after a devastating fire, Shuri Castle is reopening on November 23. Learn more about its history and how to visit.

A guide in a floral kimono points something out to a Western couple in haori on a traditional shopping street

TRAVEL

Who Pays for Your “Free” Japan Itinerary?

Nothing in life is free. So how exactly do travel agencies get paid when they customize a "free" itinerary? An honest look…

Illustration of an airport baggage tractor towing two carts stacked with colorful suitcases past a terminal.

TRAVEL

Japan Is Building a Separate Transport Network for Tourists’ Luggage

A new hands-free travel service is part of Japan's latest effort to separate the flow of people from property.

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

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“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

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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

TRAVEL

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…