KYOTO - Kyoto, long celebrated as Japan’s iconic autumn destination, is now facing a striking shift in its tourism landscape. In the city’s most famous spots, foreign tourists far outnumber Japanese visitors, raising questions about over-tourism and the city’s future balance between hospitality and livability.
Around the bustling Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, known for its “thousand torii gates,” local shopkeepers report that roughly 80 to 90 percent of their customers are from overseas. “It’s rare to see Japanese customers these days,” one shop owner said. At a traditional sweets shop nearby, another added, “You hardly hear Japanese anymore. The store menu is almost entirely in English.”
The same can be said across Kyoto’s major attractions. During the Jidai Festival held on October 26th—one of Kyoto’s three great festivals—spectators along the parade route were overwhelmingly foreign visitors. From Arashiyama to Higashiyama, the crowds are dominated by overseas tourists, leaving locals and domestic travelers nearly invisible.
A spring survey comparing 2023 and 2024 visitor figures showed Japanese tourist numbers falling sharply while foreign visitors surged. In the Higashiyama area, Japanese tourists dropped 12 percent, while foreigners rose 66 percent. Arashiyama saw a 20 percent decrease in domestic visitors but a 22 percent increase in international ones. At Kyoto Station, Japanese tourists fell by 9 percent while foreign visitors climbed 72 percent.
However, Japanese tourists have not disappeared entirely—they are simply shifting away from central areas. The same survey found that visits by Japanese travelers increased by 24 percent in Kyoto’s northern region, 17 percent in Takao, and around 18 percent in Fushimi and Yamashina. In other words, domestic tourists are avoiding central congestion by visiting quieter surrounding areas.
This movement aligns with the city’s official “Decentralized Tourism” initiative. The Kyoto City Tourism Association has been promoting six recommended peripheral areas—such as Kita (northern Kyoto), Nishikyo, Ohara, and Fushimi—to disperse visitors and alleviate central overcrowding. These areas offer nature and tranquility that contrast with the packed downtown districts. For instance, the scenic fishing bridge over the upper Katsura River provides cherry blossoms in spring and vibrant autumn foliage, while Yoshimine-dera Temple in Nishikyo offers panoramic city views and seasonal flowers.
Among the recommended autumn spots this year is Jingo-ji Temple in Takao, famed for its breathtaking autumn colors viewed from the Kiyotaki River bridge. Around 200 to 300 maple trees create a spectacular sight each November. Although about 55 minutes by bus from Kyoto Station, its relative remoteness offers a welcome calm amid the city’s congestion.
Yet, despite these efforts, residents continue to express frustration. In a recent Kyoto City survey, the top complaint among citizens was the overcrowding of city buses, which locals rely on for commuting and schooling. “Tourists fill up buses early in the morning, and students can’t get to school on time,” one local said. Other concerns included poor tourist manners, such as trespassing into private property for photos, and long queues at bus stops.
To address these issues, Kyoto City will introduce a steep hike in its accommodation tax starting in March 2026. The tax, first implemented several years ago, currently ranges from 200 to 1,000 yen depending on room rates. Under the new system, guests staying in high-end rooms priced above 100,000 yen per night will pay as much as 10,000 yen in tax. The city expects annual revenue to double from 6.16 billion yen in 2024 to roughly 12.6 billion yen.
Kyoto officials say the increased revenue will be used to fund over-tourism countermeasures and cultural property preservation. However, hotel operators have voiced concern that higher taxes could make Kyoto less attractive to travelers. Some have also called for transparency in how the funds are used, and others suggested introducing taxes for day-trip tourists as well.
Commentators have pointed out that Kyoto’s popularity remains its greatest strength—and challenge. “Kyoto has built an unparalleled global brand,” one panelist noted. “The problem isn’t that people want to visit; it’s how to manage that success sustainably.”
Proposals have included charging higher fares for non-residents using public buses or introducing double-length buses with luggage space, as seen in Europe. “It’s unreasonable that everyone pays the same 230 yen fare,” one local commentator said. “Kyoto residents could pay the standard rate, but visitors should pay double, with the funds reinvested into improving transport services.”
Ultimately, Kyoto aims to achieve what city leaders call a “three-way satisfaction” model—tourists who enjoy their stay, citizens who can live comfortably, and businesses that thrive sustainably. As Yonezawa concluded, “For Kyoto to remain a world-class destination, it must find a balance where all three sides can coexist harmoniously.”
Source: MBS NEWS
