Japan is one of this year’s top trending destinations.
It is a totally unique place to visit, and there’s so much to see and do.
Whether you want to wander ancient temples and monuments or embrace modern technology in neon cities, visit kawaii theme parks, or queue for backstreet ramen, there really is a Japan for everyone.
Thinking of jumping on the trend and visiting Japan this year?
Japan is implementing these 2 new rules that tourists need to know:
Climbing Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic symbols of Japan and millions of tourists a year visit to catch a glimpse of its magnificent peak.
Mount Fuji is a UNESCO World Heritage site and climbing to the top is an epic adventure for outdoorsy travelers.
Depending on the trail you choose the climb it will take between 5-10 hours to climb to the summit with the average route taking around 6 hours.
5 million people hike Mount Fuji every year.
But as tourist numbers to the mountain are going up and up the Japanese government has decided it’s time to step in and implement some changes.
Tourism at the site needs to change for their own safety and to protect the mountain’s eco system. The mountain foothills are covered in litter, and congestion is a real concern, too.
First, the number of climbers that can visit Mount Fuji is being capped to 4,000 per day.
To implement this, you won’t be able to start the ascent without a ticket.
The second change for visitors to Mount Fuji is that, for the first time, the mountain will no longer be free to climb.
To secure a ticket you will need to pay 2,00 yen (approximately $13).
To make sure that climbers are adhering to the rules there will be new guides employed at Mount Fuji to manage safety around the trails.
They will also ensure all climbers are appropriately dressed. Reports found a bafflingly high number of people attempted the ascent wearing sandals last year!
Seeing Geishas In Kyoto
Kyoto is the cultural capital of Japan. It is a major tourist destination and visitors flock to the city for the chance to see its numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines.
Some of the biggest attractions in Kyoto include the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine with its famous red tori gates and the Sagano Bamboo Forest.
But tourists will find it much harder to spot one of the city’s unofficial tourist attractions going forward: Kyoto’s famous Geisha.
The area where the Geisha and Maiko (apprentice Geisha) live and work in the city is called Gion.
This has become a popular tourist attraction in its own right with travelers keen to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Geisha.
But a combination of over-tourism and bad tourist behavior means that many Geisha and Maiko no longer feel safe in their own streets.
Many tourists seem to lose their minds when they see the Geisha, and there have been reports of tourists running, shouting, and even barging them to get a photo.
Some Geisha have had their accessories removed and stolen. Some have even reported having cash and hotel room keys thrown at them as they were traveling between appointments.
As a result, tourists have been banned from entering Gion’s private alleyways.
There are already signs up throughout the area saying that unsolicited photography will lead to a ¥10,000 fine, but now tourists will be banned from entering at all.
The historic district will be completely cut off to tourists, who won’t be permitted in or out.
To further ensure the Geisha’s protection many of the restaurants and teahouses in the area will now only serve the geisha, their clients, and Kyoto residents.
There are many incredible things to see and do as a tourist in Kyoto. But spotting a geisha is no longer one of them!
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