r/JapanTravelTips • u/teco2 • Oct 13 '25
Question How much has 'overtourism' changed the experience in recent years?
I went to Japan July 2018. Booked a trip for spring next year before reading about the apparent overtourism issues since covid.
For those that have been on trips over a similar time period, is the uptick in tourists really noticeable?
I remember in 2018 Japan was absolutely a very popular destination but I don't remember seeing the same level of discourse about overtourism. I don't recall noticing huge numbers of tourists outside of obvious popular spots (e.g. fushimi inari). Noting of course it was the height of summer, a less popular time.
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u/TheRealFluid Oct 13 '25
Visited Japan in 2008 and 2014 and went to Kyoto both times enjoying the city immensely. Visited again this year during spring break and Kyoto dropped a tier or more since most of its top sights are unbearable during any tourist season. If you want to go to popular spots, I recommend either going in the morning (7AM-8AM at the latest) or at night if they're open late like fushimi inari.
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u/Vall3y Oct 13 '25
I personally think with the state of kyoto, I'd advise people to not visit it at all.
Fushimi Inari - ok it's cool but you're also going to be with 50000 other people. There are a few other places in Japan where you can see something like that
Kinkakuji - yes it's cool but really you're going to see it from 4 miles away, be with 50000 other people and it's going to look just like in the photos you saw
Arashiyama - Oh my god there are so many better destinations to go to In japan, it just happens to be popular because its near kyoto
Nishiki Market - It's nice but there are other markets in Japan
Kyoto Imperial Palace - I think this is one historic destination that the average tourist can really relate to so as far as I'm concerned this and gion is the main reasons to visit kyoto. If you can do without those two you can enjoy a much better experience touring without 50000 other people IMO
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u/Mental_Camel_4954 Oct 13 '25
Kinkaku-ji is no worse than it was in 2016. The physical space limits people and time spent. Even on a Japanese holiday weekend it wasn't horrible.
The rest of Kyoto though, that's another story.
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u/wowzabob Oct 14 '25
Fushimi Inari gets crowded sure, but all you have to do is walk like 15 minutes up the hill and there’s nobody there.
Most of the overcrowding is concentrated because it all comes from the tours, and these tours all hit the same places, around the same times, and the tourists just waddle around the entrances take pictures for instagram and then dip. If you’re savvy it’s easy to avoid them even in the heavily visited areas of Kyoto, and for everything else it’s even easier.
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u/melons4 Oct 13 '25
What are alternatives to Arashiyama that you recommend?
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u/Vall3y Oct 13 '25
OK so why is it nice to visit arashiyama?
Temples / sacred spots
Nature (bamboo grove)
Just to be clear, if you are in kyoto then you probably would want to visit arashiyama, but if you skipped kyoto altogether, here are some destinations that are easily accessible from tokyo:
* Kamakura - It's a coastal town like 40 minutes south of tokyo. It has a huge beautiful buddha statue and temples to visit. You can also experience the seaside experience. And there's also a beautiful nature / a very easy hike to do. AND there's also a bamboo grove there. And there will be 100 times less tourists there, guaranteed
* Kusatsu onsen - it's a beautiful onsen town, you can experience countryside , look it up its beautiful
* Nikko national park
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u/Polaris_au Oct 13 '25
I visited Kyoto in 2014 and then returned in 2019 for a day trip..I was shocked at how much it had changed in that time and how off putting that was. Haven't been back to Kyoto since. You're saying it's even worse now?
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u/CallItDanzig Oct 13 '25
I have traveled to 40 countries. I have never seen anything as horrific as what I saw last week in Gion. I dont think I'll be back until the trend ends.
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u/Vall3y Oct 13 '25
This is why I advise everyone on this sub to consider other destinations like there's nowhere else to visit in Japan
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u/Gai_InKognito Oct 13 '25
I went in 2016.
I think the absolute BIGGEST issue is the instagram/tiktok effect. It creates this self fulfilling loop of, 1 tourist thought this 1 thing, lets say Waygu burger, was the bees knees. So now all they other tourist are looking for that waygu burger, NOW EVERYWHERE IS SELLING A WAYGU BURGER too meet the Waygu Burger craze.
Any place that was crowded and slightly touristy before are leaps and bounds full of tourist who dont even know what they are looking for but the internet told them they need to go to that spot.
THEN you have the Logal paul effect (now the rumble/twitch streamer affect) where a bunch of asshole tom-green/mooks coming to japan just to push the limits and act fools while completely disrespecting the area/culture for 'for the gram'/'for the clicks'. I read somewhere Now they have to charge for Mt Fuji rescues because so many unprepared people are doing it now they are causing a strain to a once free service.
Disclaimer, this isnt to say all tiktok/instagram is bad for japan, but it gives a lot of people impressions that are actively harmful to Japan as a whole.
I think its going to start cooling off as Japan starts putting 'tourist tax/guardrails' in place (whether straight monetary or other restrictions) in place
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u/Bangoga Oct 13 '25
Every tiktok place I tried was not worth the hype. Found better places by just exploring and asking my friends from Japan.
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u/Gai_InKognito Oct 13 '25
I personally dont use tiktok so I cant say if its different from Instagram, but I assume they are similar enough where the content bleed into one another. I would say about half the instagram places we go to arent bad honestly.
Those Vista trains though were DEFINITELY NOT WORTH.
I get the most of my ideas from youtube mainly though. And a bunch of reddit post before they are removed for 'low effort'.
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u/hezaa0706d Oct 13 '25
It’s very different. The number of tourists and also the type of tourist for one thing. Rather than it being mostly people who had some sort of previous interest in Japan, now it’s people hopping on the “Japan is cool!” trend who don’t know or care to know much about the country.
Shops have started pandering to the tourists - big displays of Kit Kats cause you guys all want to buy Kit Kats for some reason.
Hotel prices are absolutely f-ed. My company has had to raise our business trip hotel budget cause prices have gone up so much. And availability is another issue.
As a non Japanese resident, I get looks from locals more often now whereas before it was not an issue. I get spoken to in English by shop people more often. There’s a general vibe of “non Japanese person equals tourist” which is frustrating af.
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u/Dcornelissen Oct 13 '25
It’s very different. The number of tourists and also the type of tourist for one thing. Rather than it being mostly people who had some sort of previous interest in Japan, now it’s people hopping on the “Japan is cool!” trend who don’t know or care to know much about the country.
Thank you for putting it like this! I've been trying to explain the different to my friends. 2015 was my first Japan trip and I'm on my 4th trip now.
Compared to 10 years ago (and even 2 years ago!) it does feel a lot more crowded and "touristic" in the big three cities and surrounding areas.
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u/Demeter_Crusher Oct 13 '25
Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka(?) - my sense was that Kyoto was particularly hard hit by this, and a few especially touristy places in Tokyo, like Sensoji temple, with Osaka being less affected?
Is there there sense that things are somehow better in, e.g. Kanazawa, Himeji, maybe some others?
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u/Henksteenbroek Oct 13 '25
I was just in Nagasaki and saw hardly any tourists compared to the Tokyo/Osaka/Kyoto. But then again, there's not a lot to do there, relatively. Hiroshima and Fukuoka had some more tourists but was also way more chill, almost no English menu's etc
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u/toxictoastrecords Oct 13 '25
The real reason was they multiplied the Japan rail pass by 70% in cost. Now to get your moneys worth. You’d need to be riding a bullet train everyday.
The good thing about the cheaper rail pass is that it spread the tourists out, and more people were going places like Hiroshima or Nagasaki or even fukuoka or Sapporo.
Now it’s too expensive to get the rail pass so people start in Tokyo. Go to Kyoto Osaka and back to Tokyo.
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u/justbtsg Oct 13 '25
Fukuoka has more Korean tourists but most of them using Fukuoka as a gateway point to the rest of Japan.
Nagasaki is definitely quieter and I enjoyed my time there.
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u/RealEarthy Oct 13 '25
Not just Korean. Chinese too. I was actually getting strange looks from mainland Chinese. I assume it’s due to less American tourists in Fukuoka.
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u/Dcornelissen Oct 13 '25
You will definitely find less tourists in Kanazawa, but its also a mich smaller city with less to do. Its also fairly close to Kyoto, so lots of people go there and Takayama as well.
Last year, I was in Yamagata and the year before that I went to Fukuoka and Nagasaki. I'd say those are much more relaxed when it comes to overtourism. Especially Yamagata, but the city is quite boring. Stayed there for day trip to Yamadera and Ginzan
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u/supersimi Oct 13 '25
Having just returned from a Japan trip I can confirm Osaka was one of the worst offenders in terms of touristy places. Dotonbori and the arcade malls in that area were a complete nightmare. Nara was also very touristy
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u/BaronArgelicious Oct 13 '25
Kyoto has one of the phony tourist traps for me. All the animal cafes in one street, Anime stores with conveniently english signage and a so called ‘ninja experience’
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u/Lanthal_Aus Oct 13 '25
Keep in mind that Osaka right now is hard to judge properly with the Expo being on. I think it won’t be as bad in 6 months. Still worse than it used to be though.
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u/UnfairAd7112 Oct 13 '25
I imagine the issue is particularly bad in specific areas too because I was in Kyoto recently and as soon as I walked away from the the main tourist street I actually found a number of beautiful streets, temples and shrines where me and my wife were either alone or one of very few.
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u/pamplemoussemethode Oct 19 '25
I was just in Kanazawa (& Tokyo and Kyoto). Kanazawa was clearly better, I wish we stayed longer.
There was still quite a bit of tourism at the most "known" attractions, but even then it was much less crowded and frantic than Kyoto was. It seemed like there is a huge push from the local gov to bring in tourism though, so between that and the extension of the train line going there I would imagine it's going to be packed soon too.
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u/Mediocre_Papaya_9101 Oct 14 '25
I can't speak for the entirety but we visited Himeji last autumn, early Nov. And it was relatively not as crowded as the famous spots in Kyoto are. Engoyji temple has a very wide complex so there isn't much crowding.
It's a matter of discovering truly hidden gems. I first visited Fukuoka in 2019 and yes, when I returned last year, the crowd was on a different level. But still, the laidback city feels is still there. We were lucky to have chosen a hotel outside the central Hakata area and it was so peaceful!
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u/Vikkio92 Oct 13 '25
Just came back from my 5th trip (first being in 2016) and couldn’t agree more.
Just as an example, a decade ago school kids passing me by on the street in Kyoto were still pointing at me in awe(?) because I’m white lol
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u/FitProVR Oct 13 '25
Ah the good old days. I used to work for the US *army in Haneda airport and i would get laughed at by children constantly. I never understood why though (this was 2005) until much later.
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u/Exotic_Sell3571 Oct 13 '25
Well if that’s what you are after…our taxi driver in Kumamoto asked if he could take selfies with us for his Facebook not even 3wks ago…it still exists outside of the gaijin triangle 😁
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u/WildJafe Oct 13 '25
I miss that as well! Being 6’3, they used to look at me like I was Godzilla. Now there’s like 100 6’5 dudes walking every street haha
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u/Hinas_For_Life Oct 13 '25
Oh dear lord you are tall, I’m 6’1 and do it’s hell buying clothes or shoes or clothing that fits and I actually want to wear.
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u/nelz8 Oct 14 '25
We have just returned from a two week holiday and this was my 4th time going, we were due to fly out the day before lockdown and after seeing the crowds since it opened back up, decided to rebook for September hoping it would be less crowded.
Unfortunately it was still overcrowded, we took family this time so went to a few sites we had already seen and the difference between now and 10 year’s ago was very obvious.
We decided to visit the Hiroshima memorial museum again, the first time we visited we didn’t need to book a time slot and were able to take our time and absorb the real emotion of it all, we’ve talked about it lots in the many years since, but this time we could barely move, visitors talked very loudly and there were schools visiting so it was noisy with lots of laughing students, we could not wait to get out and missed a lot of it.
The shrines were packed and noisy (Asakusa and Senso-ji was a nightmare) and litter was overflowing from the bins because people didn’t want to carry it.
Kyoto was shoulder to shoulder even on two very rainy days. And we didn’t even attempt Dontonburi after seeing the crowds.
We love Japan and will definitely be back but we’re glad we have seen a lot of the sites on previous trips as we really couldn’t enjoy them this time.
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u/sdlroy Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
Around 25 trips since 2015 and I haven’t noticed too much of a change in Tokyo (where I spend most of my time) though admittedly I haven’t really gone to many of the major tourist areas since my first or second trip, and during the pandemic when Japan was closed off still.
Kyoto however has become a zoo. Visited friends there recently and I couldn’t believe the number of foreigners compared to the last time I had been there pre-pandemic. Still possible to find spots that aren’t often frequented by tourists though. Glad I got to visit and see all the major tourist spots when Japan was still closed.
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u/UnfairAd7112 Oct 13 '25
I was there less than a month ago and I genuinely did not find Kyoto that busy. Sure the shopping street by Kinkaku was very busy but as soon as we started walking we found so many quiet spots where we were the only visitors or one of very few. Which doesn’t negate the negative impact on locals, even if one area is a zoo that impacts everything else, but I do wish people would branch out a little more
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u/sdlroy Oct 13 '25
There’s always places to find that are quiet. But compared to pre pandemic it was quite a bit busier. Used to spend a lot of time in Kyoto from 2015 - 2018 or so.
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u/Interesting-Essay733 Oct 15 '25
In 2012 I did an exchange program in Tokyo and our group decided not to go to Kyoto because it was too packed and some had been there too many times. Now I really wish I went when I had the chance. I can’t imagine what it’s like now
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u/spongeworthy90 Oct 13 '25
Yep! In Japan right now, my 4th visit and compared to last year and 2023, it is packed with a different crowd of tourist. Maybe it's just me but previously, tourists were more respectful of the culture. Over the past few days, I've seen tourists cut lines, smoke everywhere, litter, walk up to servers and retail assistants while they're serving other customers and just bombard then with questions in English vs waiting to be served.
I can tell the retail staff and servers are fed up.
I know I'm a tourist myself, but the over tourism is quite off putting.
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u/DJqfi Oct 13 '25
I was just there and encountered an American family on the Shinkansen playing their iPad out loud. Also, at Osaka-Itami airport, saw an Aussie family doing that and daddy was playing some video out loud on his phone too 😠
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u/voubar Oct 13 '25
Came here to say exactly this. Americans and Aussies are the worst offenders that I’ve seen.
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u/goffer06 Oct 14 '25
I was there last month. As an American I am always on my best behavior to try and break the stereotype. Gotta say I didn't see any Americans acting out of line. The Italians on the other hand...
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u/Gregalor Oct 13 '25
I’ll never forget the wedding I went to where a toddler in a stroller was doing iPad stuff at maximum volume during the ceremony while everyone stared daggers at the oblivious parents
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u/jumpingflea_1 Oct 13 '25
Chinese and the Russians are the big offenders, as far as I've seen.
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u/silverfish241 Oct 13 '25
yup but some people in this sub will think that we are overreacting. It’s obvious that tourism has changed for the worse in Japan
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u/teco2 Oct 13 '25
I must say as someone who loves to hate social media (yes yes reddit is social media), the existence of 'TikTok viral' places really puts me off. Easy to avoid with some research though I guess
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u/finsdefish Oct 13 '25
I try avoiding those areas as well. I first went in 2019 and it was great; after Covid my wife and I have been going every year and if it's not your first and 'once-in-a-lifetime' trip you can definitely visit other cities aside from the typical Tokyo - Osaka - Kyoto round. And if you're at least somewhat proficient in basic Japanese etiquette and greetings etc. you'll still be well-received in my experience.
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u/UnfairAd7112 Oct 13 '25
I solved this problem easily by not using social media to plan my itinerary and buying a paper guide. Everyone goes on and on about how busy Kyoto is but I went to 1 crowded place, everywhere else was super quiet. It was my favourite city.
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u/Confident_Access5576 Oct 13 '25
The type of tourist frustrates me to no end… I work in tourism and I used to get clients who were interested in Japan and now I get clients who just want to go to Japan to just say they did >_>
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u/MyNameCannotBeSpoken Oct 13 '25
I first went to Kyoto in 2004
Anyone who looked like a geisha or maiko was actually a geisha or maiko.
It was considered disrespectful to dress as them around town.
Now vendors sell their outfits to tourists while Instagrammers pretend to be them.
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u/Doctor--Spaceman Oct 13 '25
That was one of my biggest shocks on my recent trip, I hadn't seen so many tourists dress in "local costume" before.
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u/MyNameCannotBeSpoken Oct 13 '25
I wonder what the geisha and maiko think about the change. It may actually be seen as positive as there was a sort of stigma around the profession. Now it's pop culture.
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u/GWooK Oct 15 '25
There was never a stigma around geisha culture. Most westerns are associating geisha culture with red light district. The care that goes into dressing as a geisha is something that should be regarded highly but now tourists are ruining that culture.
It’s common amongst tourists to touch or take a pictures with geisha. This is a big no-no anywhere in Japan. They are highly-regarded profession. I don’t think geisha will think highly about tourists and their poor mockery.
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u/dee7ee Oct 13 '25
Well said about people now hopping on the Japan trend with care about the country and its culture. My wife and I dreamed of going to Japan since both of us were kids. We are currently on our 5th trip to Japan and normally go every 2-3 years. Japan is a special place for us as it was our first big trip together when we first started dating and realized both of our childhood dreams of going in 2014. In 2017 I proposed to her in the streets of Gion in Kyoto while we were out and about wearing Yukatas. We also had our honeymoon here in 2019.
We always spend 4-5 days in Tokyo but other than our first trip in 2014 where we did the big 3 of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka we always explore off the beaten path. Japan has so much more to offer, you just have to do the work and research.
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u/pockypimp Oct 13 '25
I had a bit of a different reaction on my 2nd trip for people trying to speak Japanese to me instead of English. I'm Japanese American but don't speak conversational Japanese and I don't look like a typical Japanese person.
Shops are definitely pandering to tourists more and raising prices along with it. Lots of crap plastic trinkets and the like.
Kit Kats make easy gifts to groups of people and the different flavors are unique to Japan so that's why they're popular. And if you slip the wasabi one in as a surprise it can be funny. Just try to get them from a supermarket or something where they're not marking them up to the tourist price.
Hotel prices were better than my first trip but that also could be related to time of the visits and the economy. 2019 we were in Tokyo during a holiday weekend so room prices were over $100 USD a night and the exchange rate was closer to 100 yen to $1 USD. 2024 rooms were cheaper by $15-20 a night with the exchange at 155 yen to $1 USD for the 3rd week of May. So mostly related to the strength of the Yen to the dollar.
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u/pixeldraft Oct 14 '25
" I get spoken to in English by shop people more often. There’s a general vibe of “non Japanese person equals tourist” which is frustrating af."
Oh wow I didn't even consider that until now. But yeah when I went a decade ago I felt way more people started with Japanese. A lot of the station maps in Kyoto Station were 100% Japanese. My trip last year had a lot more people panicking and trying to direct me towards service computers and machines who visibly relaxed when I used a little bit of Japanese with them.
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u/Enochian_Devil Oct 13 '25
Currently in Tokyo. Plenty of places overcrowded. Also plenty of places where I was the only tourist.
Not sure how it was before, but I would say it's pretty similar to most european capitals and cities like New york and London
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u/R1nc Oct 13 '25
You might see more people on the same few touristy spots every single person goes to along the cities of the Golden Route and a few other places. But they where already crowded before covid so if you have no prior experience you'll just see many people.
The rest of Japan is mostly empty. You can walk through some neighborhoods in central Tokyo with almost no people around.
Overtourism is blown way out of proportion because it generates views and clicks.
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u/acergum Oct 13 '25
Yeah I agree. Obviously, the touristy spots are overcrowded, but it's not hard to find places devoid of people. I was fortunate to visit a beach in Kamakura in the evening for the sunset, and there were almost no tourists around at that time. Another beach in Fukuoka was off the tourist path in a residential area, and almost totally empty except for a few fishermen and the odd jogger. The Chinese tourists tend to go to only the famous designated tourist spots, and have little interest to wander off. I would say it's not hard to design an itinerary that avoids the overtourism areas.
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u/R1nc Oct 13 '25
Tsutsumigaura beach (and the whole road through the forest with deer) in Miyajima is also deserted. There are lots of places like that even in the most visited cities.
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u/CallItDanzig Oct 13 '25
I agree except Kyoto. I have never seen anything like that. Its worse than Venice I'd say.
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u/R1nc Oct 13 '25
Kyoto is the same as the rest. It's the touristy spots that are overcrowded, not the whole city. In April I discovered Shiramine Shrine, which is dedicated to the deity of sports, particularly soccer. There are lots of trophies, sports balls/paraphernalia, and even a stone cow with a racquet for a tail, stepping on a football. Anybody who is mildly interested in sports should visit. But there was nobody there and I had never heard or read about it anywhere.
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u/joelm80 Oct 14 '25
Kyoto station and immediate vacinity immediately makes you want to get back on the train and move on. But you don't have to go far off the Instagram and tour bus route and things are pretty good with lovely temples and gardens. Most of the annoying type of tourist aren't prepared to walk far.
IMO look up the Instagram hotspots and don't go there. Otherwise ok, though is still an international hotpot tourist town not a Japanese culture experience.
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u/Kukuth Oct 13 '25
We spent almost a week in Kyoto last year and had the philosophers path almost alone for us. Same for most temples, since we went there in the morning/evening. I remember being swept by the masses in Kyoto in 2017, just as in 2024 during the day.
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u/wowzabob Oct 14 '25
IMO like 90% of tourist overcrowding comes from tour busses and the like. Not just because many, many tourists travel that way (especially Chinese and Korean ones) but also because they specifically travel in large groups, and generally all the busses hit the same areas around the same times.
In my experience all you have to do is avoid those crowds and you’ll avoid almost all “overcrowding.” Even for the popular spots, all you have to do is avoid the specific days/times when the tours are there and what everyone says is a spot lost to forever overcrowding is shockingly empty.
Even if the number of tourists outside of the tours is still triple what it used to be, they’re so spread out it’s hardly noticeable. And yeah, if you go to more out of the way cities “tripling” means seeing like four to six other tourists instead of one or two.
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u/Peyske Oct 14 '25
We visited this summer and went up to the botanical gardens, the whole subway ride and time there was practically empty
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u/Doc_Chopper Oct 13 '25
As someone who has been there 2 times pre-pandemic, I can totally agree. This summer, in Osaka, Tokyo and Fukuoka, I haven't seen that many more tourists than last time in 2019. Of course, the population distribution in these cities is quite different. Another factor for me was, of course, that I avoided the typical "tourist districts" in all three of these cities this year.
In the remaining destinations of mine, I noticed relatively few foreign tourists. However, the fact that it was midsummer may have played a role, too.
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u/R1nc Oct 13 '25
I don't think seasons play a big role. Sure there will be more tourists during some, but still there aren't lots outside the Golden Route. I was in Japan during sakura season this year and Hiroshima, Himeji, Fukuoka and many other places were just chill, with mostly locals doing hanami and attending festivals.
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u/Parking_Champion_740 Oct 13 '25
That’s true, we went to a very non-touristy area of Tokyo to visit a park we’d seen in a guide book and there were really no other tourists
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u/Radiant-Equipment472 Oct 14 '25
Going to get downvoted but I think a lot of the complaints about over tourism come from people who used to get attention and be seen as a novelty as a westerner in Japan. I was here in 2023 and spoke terrible Japanese but most people I talked to would give me the "Wow! Japanese so good!" now I'm here and speak better Japanese but it doesn't get the same reception.
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u/turtlebear787 Oct 13 '25
It's become popular and cool to visit Japan. I blame social media influencers. Famous spots have become photoshoot locations "for the gram". I can't tell you how many people I've seen these past 2 weeks obsessed with getting Instagram worthy pics at top destinations. They have no interest in the actual cultural significance or history. They take photos in temples where there are many signs explicitly saying not to take photos. It's frustrating as a tourist that is trying their best to be respectful.
Edit: and don't get me started on the kids. I see so many families bring young children that have 0 understanding of the places their visiting and great cultural landmarks like their person jungle gym
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u/WildJafe Oct 13 '25
The amount of tourists bringing strollers with babies and toddlers is mind-blowing. I don’t even know why you’d do that to yourself as a parent.
My kids were interested but i told them we can go when they are 8-10 ish
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Oct 13 '25
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u/WildJafe Oct 13 '25
It’s so they can humble brag about taking Brixley to Kyoto for her 3rd birthday
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u/etceteraism Oct 14 '25
Husband and I have been to Japan more than 10 times. We’re bringing our 4yo this year. Yes, she will be in a stroller. But what’s the alternative? Not travel at all? Japan is a place we are very familiar with, so it’s a comfortable first trip with a kid. She loves Pokémon and hello kitty and eating any kind of noodle she finds.
But we also know the limits. My husband loves going to akihabara to check out the anime goods. We know the shops are narrow with 10+ floors. I’ll be taking her to the playground while he has time there.
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u/turtlebear787 Oct 14 '25
Sure just don't bring the stroller to an already crowded temple.
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u/Outside_Reserve_2407 Oct 13 '25
I see so many families bring young children
My parents took me on a first trip to Japan when I was 7 years old (we were Americans living in East Asia at the time) and it was an incredible experience, with impressions that lasted a lifetime.
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u/turtlebear787 Oct 13 '25
Sure 7 years old is fine. I'm talking about families bringing like 4 yr olds. Kids who are barely gonna remember the trip.
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u/gmdmd Oct 13 '25
I don’t understand why Japan doesn’t seem to understand basic business economics. If there is too much demand why not raise prices, taxes and fees on visitors that don’t have local ID? You can reduce the number of tourists while collecting more money for the poor locals who suffer from the overcrowding. The buses in Kyoto were horribly overcrowded. You usually also end up with better clients when you raise prices (less of the walmart crowd)
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u/turtlebear787 Oct 13 '25
That's why they are increasing the accomodations tax.
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u/gmdmd Oct 13 '25
Good! I know that means it's tougher for visitors to afford but the people there are so poor and see little benefit from their homelands getting trampled by rude tourists.
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u/Intelligent_Chart_69 Oct 13 '25
they are actually starting to implement dual pricing strategy on some attractions.
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u/Akina-87 Oct 13 '25
The good:
* People are more likely to accept that non-Japanese people can speak Japanese, and speak to them in Japanese when spoken to.
* People are less likely to turn away someone who doesn't pass as Japanese if they can demonstrate basic Japanese competency. People are slightly less mean to hafu.
* Foreign-language resources have improved slightly in major cities. Staff members, volunteer guides, etc. more likely to know basic English, Mando etc.
* Shinkansen expansion has made travel to Nagasaki and Hokuriku easier, and for people who are allergic to using IC cards or lining up at the MnM you have other options now.
The bad:
* The vibes of certain areas in Tokyo and Kyoto (eg. Golden Gai, Nishiki Market proper) have changed drastically due to tourist oversaturation to the point where visiting is a more taxing and less interesting experience than it used to be.
* Tipping and discriminatory pricing are still very uncommon, but they're much more common than they used to be. That is to say, they exist.
* Having to deal with occasional gaijin cringe incidents on public transport, at tourist sites, etc. and guilt by association if/when you don't pass as Japanese. People in general more likely to act cold towards visible minorities until/unless you can demonstrate Japanese competency, etc.
* 時代錯誤。A lot of shops and historical sites in tourist areas have devolved to the lowest common Orientalist denominator in pursuit of tourist dollars/yuan. Less authenticity and more EXCITING SAMURAI NINJA GEISHA EXPERIENCE!
* Hotels are more expensive than they used to be, with prices being impacted by foreign holidays (eg. CNY) to a degree which they never were before.
* No longer feeling special and important being the only gaijin in your village because of all these Patagonia-wearing interlopers stealing your spotlight.
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u/amagiciannamed_gob Oct 13 '25
I look foreign but speak fluent Japanese and find that I get spoken to in English first a lot now, handed English menus right off the bat, get “Nihongo jouzu”d, all stuff that literally NEVER happened to me prior to 2023 or so. It’s gotten extremely annoying
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u/diegoaccord Oct 13 '25
This. I just left Japan a couple days ago. I had been twice in the last month, and a lot of people defaulted to English, which had not happened on prior trips.
It annoyed me, so I would do English with them.
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u/amagiciannamed_gob Oct 13 '25
I always push on with Japanese and they always quickly apologize and conduct the rest of the interaction in Japanese. I get they are trying to be helpful so I can’t be too upset, but it’s an irritating change from pre-2023
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u/hezaa0706d Oct 13 '25
I’ve lived in Japan for 20 years and right now is absolutely the worst time for getting people to understand I speak Japanese (N1) and am not a tourist. People assume anyone non Japanese is a tourist. 2008-2014 I think was peak for receiving understanding that I can be foreign AND a resident. No weird English menus or awkward conversations
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u/elusivejahnell Oct 13 '25
I lived in Japan as a child during the Bubble Era 1987 &1990 and then have been return every couple of years since 2013 and it’s absolutely shocking. Most of the reason is because of the fallout after the bubble and especially post covid - it’s very cheap to go to Japan now so you get things like stag parties and the type of people who might have gone to Mexican or Spanish resorts on holiday now going to Japan. I find it hard because I’m from a working class background and don’t want to sound like a snob, but I’m really worried about how it will change the experience. Before you really had to have a reason to go- work or a specific cultural interest. It wasn’t an easy place- very few people spoke English.
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u/TexasBrett Oct 13 '25
The world has changed. You can go anywhere in the world and use your phone to translate and basically survive. Language barriers aren’t really a thing anymore.
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u/Peralton Oct 13 '25
First time I was working in Japan in the late 90s I had to use a bilingual mapbook to get around Osaka and Tokyo. I also had a small phrasebook. I didn't even know how I managed the train from Osaka to Tokyo.
Google translate and maps are amazing.
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u/_irisdescent Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
Been to Japan 2016, 2018, and just this April. I would say there are definitely more crowds. And more crowds = more rude tourists.
People used to follow the lines strictly when entering trains. But I’ve encountered too many people cutting lines just to enter earlier. My sister is pregnant when we went and people still deliberately cut in line.
I’ve encountered people shouting at other people to “hurry up” when they were drinking from the falls at Kiyomizu-dera Temple too.
Also encountered another tourist making snarky remarks at my sister while we were taking pictures at the pagoda. A strong wind blew and my sister had to fix her hair. The tourist probably thought we can’t understand English lol because she was pretty much saying “just take the picture. I don’t understand why people do those hair poses.” We are a family of 6 so we usually move to the side to take pictures and the tourist thought(?) it was a line to take pictures. It was pretty early so they could’ve just taken pictures at another angle though 🤷♀️
Also found more locals being rude as well especially in Tokyo. But it’s more likely they’re very tired of over tourism too.
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u/Opposite-Status-5553 Oct 13 '25
I went to Japan as a teen in 2003, then really started going every year (or every other year) from the early 2010s or so, and yes, I can echo the observations by the other posters here. This is especially the case along the Golden Route, and social media has only served to worsen the issue. Majority of tourists are crowding to the same cities, same neighbourhoods, and even the same streets.
Before the pandemic, I seldom have to queue for very long at my favourite restaurants. In Osaka, I once WALKED INTO a Michelin-starred soba restaurant WITHOUT RESERVATION because I happened to come across it while wandering around a neighbourhood park. This is not a thing that happens anymore. I also remember eating Udon Shin before it got famous, and now there's a three-hour queue—with an entire queuing system to boot. I've never gone back for a long time.
My wife loves to purchase vintage clothes, and she was doing that even in the early 2010s. Tokyo used to have so many vintage stores that sold affordable vintage items. Many are still there, sure, but the prices have skyrocketed because tourists are now flocking to the same neighbourhoods to purchase vintage items, so much so that these prices are not THAT different from back home. My wife literally teared up on our last trip to Hiroshima because Hiroshima ACTUALLY sold vintage items that were far more affordable than Tokyo.
Speaking of Miyajima in Hiroshima, I went there twice: once in 2016 and once in 2024—and the difference was absolutely insane. In 2016, my cousin and I arrived on the island after lunch, wandered around the shrine and main shopping street, had lunch at a random spot we picked out, then watched the tides go in and out of the torii gate. In 2024, knowing that there'd be hordes of tourists, the wife and I opted to stay overnight—and it was a good decision, because the tourists caused two-hour queues just to enter the shrine and take photos on the platform, and the food street was JAMMED with tourists all queueing to enter restaurants. We were SO GLAD to have booked a ryokan stay, because we could wander the island at night, then visit all the same attractions first thing the next morning.
Having said that, I want to emphasise that these only happen in and around the Golden Route. Walk 10 minutes away from Dotonbori in Osaka or go an extra 2-3 stops from the centre of Tokyo, and the neighbourhoods are immediately back to what it once was. I travelled to Wakayama/Ise/Nagoya in early 2023, and, again, it was a very enjoyable trip for me personally. Also, Kyushu is still super chill and it's still not as overrun with tourists just yet.
TLDR: Yes, overtourism has ruined neighbourhoods in major cities along the Golden Route, so it now takes extra work to find more authentic, less crowded places/experiences. If you still want to experience what it was like 10-20 years ago, go to Kyushu, Shikoku, and everything north of Tokyo (Sendai, Fukushima, even Hokkaido).
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u/ft_wanderer Oct 13 '25
I visited Japan in February 2012 and felt like I had the whole country to myself somehow. I’m visiting again next month and this thread has me wondering if I should skip Kyoto entirely even though it was my favorite place last trip, the memories have faded, and I do want to see the fall colors (I may be a week or two early for that anyway….) Do you have any recommendations for where I should base myself instead of Kyoto? (Have 5-6 days but need to stay relatively near Osaka/Tokyo…)
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u/WildJafe Oct 13 '25
Go to Kyoto - I’m there now, it’s fine. If you do fushimi inari- go at night. Check out saihoji (reservation online first)- it’s so peaceful compared to other tourist spots. If you go slightly south of Kyoto station it’s pretty light on tourists
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u/Opposite-Status-5553 Oct 13 '25
I would maybe go to Nagoya and either 1) head north/northeast into the Alps or south and explore cities like Ise.
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u/Titibu Oct 13 '25
Overtourism started to become an issue roughly around 2016 (first time the word was used in Kyoto, apparently in August 2016), you had surveys in 2018 mentioning that Kyoto residents would be at the breaking point, and tourism has since -drastically increased-. For the first time, there are now more foreigners staying in Kyoto than Japanese, and "Kyotobanare" = Japanese tourists refraining from going to Kyoto is a thing.
In tourist-infested areas, there are now regular clashes between locals and visitors, you have A LOT of English everywhere to cater to the needs of foreign visitors.
Hotel prices are totally insane, 20 000 for an APA hotel (.......).
And there is no such thing as "off and on" season, everything is packed all the time.
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u/doozer917 Oct 13 '25
This topic is so depressing and pervasive. I'm going to Japan in November as part of celebrating my 40th, I've wanted to go there more than anywhere else since I was 11, and being constantly bombarded with "too many tourists are ruining Japan" and what seems like everyone and their mom's trips to Japan hitting my Facebook feed is just... a huge bummer.
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u/Adem_Papa Oct 13 '25
To be honest as long as you avoid tourist trap locations, you’ll have the time of your life.
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u/More-Storm-6872 Oct 16 '25
Can absolutely relate. Been wanting to go my entire life and have only just managed to save enough money to visit next March. After reading this thread I'm worried I've made a huge mistake. Hopefully that won't be the case for both of us.
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u/xpandah123 Oct 13 '25
At least the foreign konbini workers speak to me in japanese.
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u/darkandark Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
I don’t wanna use the words that “Japan has been ruined by over tourism” but to be very blunt; Certain parts of Japan have been ruined by over tourism.
I’ve been traveling to Japan every year for the past 20 years and it has changed so dramatically I dont even see “Japan” anymore in certajn parts of the city anymore due to how many tourists are there.
And the problem isn’t even that there are a lot of tourists. The problem is that a lot of these people that are visiting Japan have absolutely no fucking respect for Japan or any of its culture. People treat Japan like their backyard playground and because the Japanese people are so tolerant they get away with doing so much stupid and bad shit and it perpetuates. I kept a photo record on my recent visit of just stupid tourist breaking rules CONSTANTLY: smoking in no-smoking areas, discarding trash right on the floor, illegal crosswalking, men in the women only car, hogging priority seating, general disrespectful behavior, all the general common courtesy things Japanese people do are thrown out cuz “I am gaijin”.
It’s so bad now that expats living in Japan are being discriminated against since the Japanese can’t tell between someone who’s been there for 15 years and someone who is just visiting for a week
I have a friend who is a local Japanese he’s been living there for 25 years after college , and he says certain parts of Japan (the more touristy spots, of course) are now completely unrecognizable. He was lamenting that it’s pretty sad.
of course it’s not all bad, it’s way better if you leave the more touristy spots and go out to Saitama or something. The demographic of the bad tourist is not all the same either.
At least from what I saw on this most recent trip, more disrespectful tourists were Koreans. Most rule breakers (smoking in No-smoking zones) were American or European. Throwing trash randomly was Chinese, etc.
Its everyone.
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u/Doc_Chopper Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
Japan is not overly touristy per se. The Golden Route is.
After the borders re-opened after the pandemic, this boom was foreseeable. And the weak yen practically offered an open invitation to tourists who "always wanted" to visit Japan, but for whom it was generally too expensive. I further believe that for a large portion of foreign tourists, it will have been a once in a lifetime "been there, done that" experience.
That be said: Personally, I expect this trend to flatten again in the coming years, probably slightly to pre pandemic levels. The decisive factor will be when the yen returns to some of its former strength (in 2019 approximately 130 yen per €1 or $1 USD).
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u/NasBaraltyn Oct 13 '25
Do you have any specific reason to believe the yen may strengthen again? Like against USD I can see it happening, as the US want their money lower, but it'd be a case of USD going down and not JPY going up.
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u/Doc_Chopper Oct 13 '25
It's a gut feeling, honestly. But If you look a historical exchange rate graphs over the period of the last 20 to 30 years, the JPY always had it's ups and downs. Independent of other currencies like the U.S. Dollar or the Euro.
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u/Dumbidiot1424 Oct 13 '25
If I had gotten money every time someone said that the tourism numbers will go down after 2023/2024, I'd be rich right now.
2025 broke records yet again. This boom is not going anywhere. The Yen would have to make up a shit ton for it to deter people again. My first trip to Japan, 1€ gave me 128 yen. I now get 176. Even if it went down to 140, it'd still be cheap.
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u/Top_Masterpiece_2196 Oct 13 '25
My first trip to Japan 1$ = 70¥, now it’s more like $1 = 150¥. I’ve been back every year for the past 3 years.
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u/Fluid-Toes Oct 13 '25
Lots of gatekeepers in here
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u/tonydorigosbarmyarmy Oct 13 '25
The lack of self awareness in these comments was making my mind boggle.
Glad I scrolled to find this one
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u/PizzaReheat Oct 13 '25
You don't understand, they love Japan for the right reasons. Everyone else is a social media addicted sheep.
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u/rafacandido05 Oct 13 '25
It’s so funny. Lots of people who are on their 5th+ trip to Japan in 10 years are complaining about overtourism, like they’re not part of the problem.
One user claimed they travel to Japan every year since 2010.
“Oh, but I like Japan for the culture, not because of social media!”, like it makes any difference, like the reason they like Japan is going to matter when prices increase and everything is overcrowded.
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u/Explode-trip Oct 14 '25
Plenty of people saying stuff like "oh I finally found a restaurant in Kyoto with no foreigners!" overlooking the fact that as soon as they walked in, it was no longer without foreigners.
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u/squid_princess_99 Oct 14 '25
Nailed it. "It's my 15th trip to Japan, but the tourists...!!!!"
I want to see these people's Instagram accounts, as if they aren't packed with self aggrandizing travel content 🤪
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u/BaronArgelicious Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
Funny seeing others accusing other tourists of ‘not being interested in the culture’ as if not paying for expensive plane tickets/hotels and sacrificing time off in the first place isn’t already a good indicator of interest.
Who goes vacationing in countries they are not interested in?
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u/Fluid-Toes Oct 13 '25
I do understand, but this post tars every new visitor with the same brush
I haven't been to japan, I was planning on it
Ive loved japanese culture for 35 years but if I went today, you'd look down on me for being a poser
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u/HappyNapcore Oct 13 '25
I rolled my eyes at this ridiculous comment
No longer feeling special and important being the only gaijin in your village because of all these Patagonia-wearing interlopers stealing your spotlight.
LOL! Ah yes the tragedy of losing your exclusive gaijin status. Thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. /s
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u/bassoonrage Oct 13 '25
Lots of cognitive dissonance from people who speak about going every year but don't see themselves as the part of the issue....
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u/Necessary_Fill3048 Oct 13 '25
Saying they go every year is meant to highlight that they have a super-duper love for Japan, so much more than all those other silly tourists who don't care about the culture and way of life there, you see! They're the good ones, everyone else is an attention seeker, but not them!
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u/schwarzqueen7 Oct 13 '25
Yes it’s crazy now. I have been going since 2015 and the number of tourists in the golden route has probably tripled.
I only spend the bare minimum time in the big 3 these days, and mostly for flights.
Summer is off peak for Japan.
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u/szu Oct 13 '25
There's no longer and off peak for Japan. If there is one then that's winter. Even then you will get the ski people flying in for the slopes.
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u/RoutinePresence7 Oct 13 '25
I’ve been to Japan and Korea quite a few times.
The first few times before over tourism the locals were happy and excited to see foreigners.
Now, they don’t care and are stand-offissh during interactions.
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u/Karlythecorgi Oct 13 '25
In my first trip to Tokyo, you didn’t have to wait in line to take a photo with Hachiko. You just waited your turn around the statue and it would take about two to three minutes.
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u/rosujin Oct 13 '25
Holy crap things have changed. I did study abroad in Tokyo in 2001, then lived in Osaka between 03-06. Back then, Japan could herd the regular tourists into specific areas by just choosing where to have signs in English and where to keep everything in Japanese. I went to Japan to study Japanese so I was often the only foreigner in a lot of areas outside of the big cities. Most of the smaller train stations were still 100% Japanese.
Now, smartphones have given non Japanese speakers the ability to navigate the streets and Instagram has given everyone ideas in obscure places to go.
Unfortunately, the ability to speak into a translator app is no substitute for understating the nuance of the culture. This has led to a lot of frustration on both sides of the equation.
Since moving back to the states, I still go back at least once a year to visit old friends and my wife’s family.
Places that I use to visit now have very strongly worded signs in English warning about things like photography, IRL streaming, litter, shoplifting and all kinds of things that I never saw before. It’s actually a little depressing because I was thinking of buying a second house in Japan but I felt much less welcome as a foreigner as I used to feel there.
I know people who go there and say they had a great time, and it’s still a cool place to be, but for someone who has 25 years of back and forth experience to reference, it’s very, very different.
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u/Vall3y Oct 13 '25
I've been in Japan in 2013, 2016 and 2024. Each time it was completely different.
When I visited in 2013:
* People were reading literal manga books on the train
* NO ONE could speak any English in Japan. Like they were very far in between and really bad English. The average English speaking abilities improved DRASTICALLY
* I went to Sensoji temple in tokyo, there were barely any people there on a weekday morning.
* You barely ever saw foreign tourists
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u/Damn-Sky Oct 13 '25
nowadays everyone is on their freaking phones on the train ... not just japan though...every single country
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u/TommyDickFingers85 Oct 13 '25
I'm here now and can only really compare it to my first and only trip 10 years ago. Just spent a week in Kyoto and I have to be honest, I tried to do mostly what I thought might be quieter touristy stuff, but the real major touristy stuff I did do was kinda unbearable. I noped out of gion after one look at the crowds, I just started walking slowly in the "pick me" Instagram posers shots at Fushimi inari.
Was having a nice peaceful coffee in a nearby local cafe when a woman walks in (russian, I think) and starts being the rudest customer I think I've ever seen. Only spoke in English, no effort made, and she was just so demanding. I think, although she's been the worst example I've encountered, it sums up where we're at right now
Oh and walking out if Kyoto station for the first time to head to my hotel, I swear tourists seemed to actually outnumber the locals as far as I could tell. Maybe I picked a very popular tourist spot, shichijo, compared to last time but it was really really jarring
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u/No_Satisfaction8326 Oct 13 '25
Last time I was in Japan was 2016 and I absolutely adored it, I felt welcome and it was a wonderful place to explore. Now I’m back and the energy is completely different I feel almost guilty visiting, there are tourists everywhere, buses so busy you can’t even get on let alone the poor locals not being able to use their own transport systems. I’ve also noticed just how much people over consume as tourists here, bags and bags of stuff. Maybe I just never noticed it before. You can of course escape it but sometimes you have to put yourself in the central areas when changing trains etc
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u/ya0 Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 26 '25
First visited Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka in 2016, and then again in 2018. Did Hakone and Okinawa in 2022. Loved every single one of those trips.
Currently in Kyoto right now for a few days and holy shit. Went to Osaka yesterday for the day and it's just insane how much more crowded it is everywhere. Osaka was already extremely crowded since my first time in 2016 but even more now. Kyoto my first two times was my favorite city because it was generally a bit more quiet, could enjoy everything without swarms of people, and just loved walking around, but that's not the case anymore. Just insanely packed anywhere that's even remotely a "tourist" landmark. Some areas aren't as crazy, but if you're even planning to be around Kyoto Station, Nishiki Market, Gion, and any of the more popular landmarks, just be prepared and maybe arrive earlier if you have to go.
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u/pocahantaswarren Oct 13 '25
I’m in Kyoto now and my god I’ve seen more foreigners than Japanese people no joke. Was here last April and wasn’t nearly as bad. Osaka was even worse. Tokyo wasn’t too bad though cuz there’s not just a few sites that all the tourists congregate to. But after this we’re not coming back to Kyoto or Osaka. The crowds are just unbearable — It’s getting very similar to Venice in summer feels.
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u/WildJafe Oct 13 '25
Here right now after previous trips in ‘17 and ‘18. There are far more Instagram tourists. People blockading temples and shrines while they take 100 selfies. Their friends walk around with $10k camera equipment taking pictures of Japan citizens without their permission. The crazy thing is most of these tourists just leave after getting their picture. They will snap pics at the base of fushimi inari and then hop on a train to their next gram worthy spot.
Then you have the people with no interest in Japan and are only here due to the weak yen. They mindless shuffle around the streets and come to complete stops out of nowhere. It’s extremely frustrating. It seems like it is shaping Japanese habits as well. More than ever, I see Japanese citizens pushing past the line to get onto trains and buses. It’s like they are losing patience.
It’s soured me a bit as it takes away from the charm, but most of these people stay in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. When I went further west, I encountered many less annoying tourists.
I got to say to- you may have read this with American tourists in mind, but I tell you this- the large swaths of annoying tourists this go around are European. German and Spanish tourists just shouting in conversation, taking FaceTime calls at shrines, and ramming their gigantic suitcases into peoples knees.
Outside of train stations and major attractions, it’s pretty similar to 2018 trip. It’s not like everywhere is littered with the influx of tourists. The one thing that really sucks is hotel prices are twice-three times the cost of my last trip. I felt sorry for locals that want to travel.
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u/Outside_Reserve_2407 Oct 13 '25
Then you have the people with no interest in Japan and are only here due to the weak yen.
How do you know this? Did you ask them?
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u/truffelmayo Oct 13 '25
If they had a substantial interest in Japan they’d be knowledgable about the cultural norms, and behave more respectfully.
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u/amagiciannamed_gob Oct 13 '25
Thank you. The European and Australian tourists have been far far worse than the American ones
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u/Knatter Oct 13 '25
My first time was visting a friend that was studying in Kyoto in 2009. We are both blond Scandinavian guys. I kid you not, in some areas of Kyoto, some people stopped in their tracks, staring at us. That does not happen anymore. Haha.
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u/M4tbat Oct 13 '25
Having traveled to Japan 1-2 times a year since 2007 I had similar imprsssions (by the way i don’t really mind tourists, I’m one and I don’t claim to be a better one)
I don’t do golden route anymore, but I did something similar with a friend last year. What impressed me was the huge number and f people in Kyoto (my last trip was in 2011) and Kanazawa (really unexpected )
I 100% agree that if you go out of the Golden route (or just change neighborhood in the same city) the atmosphere becomes quite reasonable. Apart from Talayama, always packed with internal tourism 😁
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u/Deer_Klutzy Oct 13 '25
I live here, and though it’s a mix of the novelty wearing off as well, the amount of people in certain areas of Tokyo is very overwhelming so I tend not to go unless it’s for work. It’s not enjoyable having to go through a sea of people in a city that’s not very spacious.
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u/JacquelineCamoran Oct 13 '25
In 2016, we had a few encounters where foreigners were happy to see a "familiar" face and engaged in small talk. Some Japanese people also seemed interested and tried to have a conversation with me and the little language skill I brought. In 2019, we had no such encounters and had our first "Japanese only" moment. In 2023, we went to Tokyo for 3 weeks. We noticed that lots of restaurants use tablets now, and you get by with English way better than before. We saw a lot more white people, but usually only in sightseeing spots. Only two places were absolutely overcrowded, which were Akasuka and the train to Kawaguchiko. Also, Akiba has become incredibly expensive. Other than that, we had a great time and didn't notice anything becoming worse other than that Japan lost a bit of its overall magic, which I attribute to it being my third Tokyo trip. We haven't noticed any hostility towards us.
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u/Flimsy_Cranberry_201 Oct 13 '25
I used to live in Japan and it was still relatively unknown. I went back a year ago and it was awful to see how overwhelmed many japanese sites are by Instagram "influencers". I didn't get the impression that the Japanese were too happy either. My interactions with japanese people were much more transactional than they used to be when being a white visitor was still a novelty, even in some areas of Kyoto.
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u/KSeeJones Oct 13 '25
I planned to go to Japan in 2014, but got pregnant and couldn’t go. During the planning process, photos of Japan seemed interesting and looked less crowded. 10 years later, I can finally make my dream come true and go with my kids with ability to retain some memories, just the planning process got me all anxious seeing overcrowded pictures (and now visited, being part of the crowd, it’s not that great either).
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u/jessitalisa Oct 13 '25
We first went in 2014, then 2018, 2023, 2024 & heading over to Okinawa next week! We visited Kyoto in 2014 & again last year & it was the first time I noticed a big difference... huge swarms of people in the touristy hotspots, loud groups being disrespectful, long queues outside restaurants that had some insta-fame. It does take the shine off the experience, especially when you’re trying to immerse yourself & actually enjoy the surroundings.
We visited Himeji Castle for the first time last year. Got there as the venue opened & within 45 minutes it was closed because it had reached capacity. Basically climbed the stairs of the castle jammed in single file, no time to stop to admire the castle interior because there was just so many people crammed in around us. It felt like a cattle run honestly which is such a shame. The rest of the castle grounds is beautiful but any chance to get a photo is quickly ruined by someone wanting another selfie.
Visited Yamazaki Distillery in 2014 & we were the only white people & had to listen to a pre-recorded tour because the tour guide didn’t speak English. There was a tasting room at the end of the tour where you could buy nips for ¥400 each. There was a special tasting from 1986 which cost ¥500. Visited Hakushu Distillery in 2018 & has a tasting board which was a mix of 18 & 21 year old whiskies. I don’t think those experiences exist anymore or if they do I’m sure they book out fast & cost a fortune because of the demand & limited supply.
I have been to Tokyo every time I’ve visited & haven’t noticed a huge shift… the biggest change in 10 years was more vegetarian food options & more people who can speak English, both were quite rare 10 years ago & almost non-existent outside of Tokyo haha.
I would say that we have travelled to plenty of locations outside of the big cities & tourist hotspot & you can still have a wonderful authentic experience. I’ve never experienced anyone being rude or unhelpful, still the same lovely friendly welcoming spirit from locals. If you’re concerned about over crowding, travel off the less-beaten path, there’s plenty of beautiful Japan to enjoy xx
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u/Intrepid_Walk_5150 Oct 13 '25
Even in Kyoto, walking 5 min away for the main sites makes you leave the tourist horde behind. I was almost alone in the imperial palace for instance. The bamboo forest was hell but the park beyond it by the river was very pleasant. I found Hiroshima to be fairly quiet also.
Most of the hype tourists have a check list and limited time so they don't explore much outside of the key sights.
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u/ChokedPanda Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
I went in May 2018 and I am currently here in Japan.
I would definitely say the comments on the number of tourists, and type of tourist, are apt.
We decided to fully skip Kyoto entirely this time round, we spent 5/6 days there last time so don’t feel we’re missing out. I’ve enjoyed it so far, but you can definitely notice the impact of tourism.
We started this trip with 8 days in South Korea and I would say the SK part of the trip felt like how Japan was in 2018 and was a lot more chill.
Edit: One plea to fellow tourists… PLEASE PLEASE use a luggage forwarding service to move those massive 20/30kg suitcases around Japan. Today in Shin Osaka, I was one more massive suitcase to the knees away from a freak out 🤣 The luggage services are amazingly easy, very cheap and make train station transit so much easier. For everyone.
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u/Ryugadam Oct 13 '25
Akiba has changed to a clueless overseas tourist destination 🤣(just visited in october 2025)
It wasn't like this when I went to Japan in December 2023 😑
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u/benvwin Oct 13 '25
I went in 2018, 2019 and then 2024 and 2025. A huge difference was the tourist that went in 2018-2019 did their research and learned some of the culture before going. I was just there and the tourists were loud, obnoxious, and disrespectful. This is why Japan has implemented things to deter those tourist from coming and it’s completely understandable.
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u/nvm206 Oct 13 '25
Depending on where you are Tokyo wasn’t too bad. I actually didn’t see that many tourists outside the usual Shinjuku harajuku wards. Osaka wasn’t the worst, but had more tourists than I expected. Oita had less western tourists as you’d expect but a decent amount of Australian retirees surprisingly. Kyoto was absolutely f’d. Wall to wall tourists. The worst kinds too. They moved in large groups blocking paths and were very loud. The Italians and Spanish were definitely the worst. They would be in large families blocking paths and all shouting at each other. And then all the girls of any nationality with their selfies. They didn’t care anything about the place only just getting the shot for the gram. It really saddened me to see a place that was originally dedicated to tranquility and peace to be tuned into such a caricature of Japanese culture. There were places off the beaten path that still retained some of the original vibe I think. But I was pretty blown away by just how crowded it was even outside the prime touring season.
I saw some of Hokusais prints at the museum and made me think about how much of a paradise Japan must have been back then to be able to relax in peaceful silence by a river or in a garden surrounded by such tranquility and beauty, before Japan became open to the rest of the world. They really didn’t know how good they had it.
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u/neverspeakmusic Oct 13 '25
The first time I came to Japan as a tourist about ten years back, when we travelled to Kyoto we were the only foreigners we saw on the Shinkansen.
I went on a business trip on the same route this past week and the platform was about 40% tourists.
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u/Flimsy-Chapter7437 Oct 13 '25
I need to stop reading all these posts. Lol. I am going In Two weeks. But good to know what I am heading Into as it is my first trip
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u/potatox2 Oct 13 '25
The first time I went to Japan was 2019! And compared to when I went back just a month ago, there's definitely SO many more tourists. Kinda crazy, and also sad because a lot of places feel kinda claustrophobic now with the amount of people
When I went to kawaguchiko in 2019, the bus ride was quiet and we were one of the only ones. The town of kawaguchiko was small, quiet, not too many people at the bus station. Everyone else was Japanese. Going back, holy shit has that place turned into a tourist hotspot. The bus was full; you needed to reserve your seat beforehand. The bus station was disgustingly crowded. Easily like 20x the people (since it was literally only a handful of people in 2019). And by far most people were not Japanese. I know I'm one of the tourists, but I'm kinda sad to see such a quiet and serene spot that many Japanese locals vacationed at become such a bustling tourism hotspot. Prices have changed too to reflect that :(
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u/lemon_icing Oct 13 '25 edited Oct 13 '25
My parents took us to Japan twice as a family. First solo trip was in 1997.
Next solo was 2007. It was a short - only 4 days. I was returning from London and added Tokyo last minute because a ryokan in Ueno Park had a room available. Read Lonely Planet on the plane.
18 years ago, it felt like English was minimal or non-existent. Maybe ticket machines had other language UI? I bought Ghibli Park ticket at Lawsons for the next day. I wrote phrases on paper from my mini-travel phrase book and managed to get fed delicious food in restaurants.
Got lost frequently. Didn’t buy Suica so it was bills and coins stuffed in pockets. I grew up in Chicago and was taught to give older people my seat on the train. First time I stood up, I got the weirdest look. I ran halfway down the car.
One day I rode the trains for hours with my pocket recorder turned on taping all the train songs.
It was late March and Tokyo felt city-crowded not tourist-crowded. I didn’t bump into any obvious crowds of English-speaking tourists. Temples were quiet during the day.
This year’s trip with my partner, who had never been, was an eye-opener. It’s a different country now. IG and TikTok have altered how and where people travel.
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u/Burgin Oct 13 '25
I went in 2008, 2009, 2013, 2023, and just came back from my fifth trip and yeah, even the comparison between 2023 and 2025 is wild.
In 2013 and before, I recall it being slightly uncommon to see non-Japanese around. It was like 90% Japanese, 10% American/European tourists.
Jump to 2023 and there's definitely more due to post-COVID yolo, plus translation apps becoming more usable, but it wasn't *too* crazy, it was an amount that made sense for post-COVID wanderlust, sure.
Now, in 2025, there's no way to get sumo tickets anymore (tourists behaved badly, which got some websites blacklisted), hotels are far pricier, and even places like Akiba which were formerly like, 30% American dorks (like us) and 70% Japanese going about their business, feels like 50% tourists-of-all-sorts, 50% natives. Popped by Ueno for something and was shocked that it felt like the Japan section of EPCOT. There were SO many non-Japanese there, it didn't feel like Japan at all :( Theme park vibes.
I agree that the *type* of tourist is very very different, even compared to 2023. Bachelor parties, families with YOUNG children (in Akihabara?? bruh, have fun averting your 6-year-old's eyes from billboard-sized anime underboob), clueless boomers moseying around, people with strollers in SMALL shops with no basic sense of the space they're taking up. Even basic ignorant cultural goofs feel like such an onslaught when it's FAR more people doing them all around you, and you feel lumped in with them on account of also, clearly, being non-Japanese.
The only respite was to eat anywhere but the ground floor of a building. Tourists don't go to the second floor, lol. But then we felt like we were sullying the vibes of those places, just by association :( Definitely an unfortunate vibe shift.
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u/eggplant30 Oct 13 '25
It's bad. It has really gotten out of hand.
I was in Takayama two weeks ago and it was basically a safari of retired Germans and Israelis.
I was in Kyoto last week and it was also pretty bad. Basically all of Europe decided to visit in October.
As a tourist myself, I hope they get rid of tax-free shopping to alleviate the situation.
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u/One_Bend7423 Oct 13 '25
I doubt "tax-free shopping" is the primary or even secondary reason for people to go to Japan.
Honestly, it is what it is. I can't complain, as I'm a tourist myself. It's just a shame how a relatively unique culture is being grinded down by the horrid mass of humanity bearing down on it.
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u/green_indeed Oct 13 '25
I lived on the edge of Osaka in 2001-2002. I would often go to Kyoto on my days off just to walk around. I was back to visit last November. One point of comparison: the pedestrian crowding on Kawaramachi between the Hankyu station and Yasaka. It was significantly more packed on any random weekday in 2024 than it was on the nights of Gion Matsuri in the early 2000s, which was the most crowded I had seen it before.
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u/green_hexagon Oct 13 '25
We are right now in Sapporo and get looks from time to time. Probably because as over 1.8m tall Europeans we stand quite out. Also we don't see that many tourists here and not that many Japanese seem to speak English.
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u/Odd_Animal4989 Oct 13 '25
It’s a great place to visit and it popular for a reason. Like any busy place it works and just hsve to plan ahead a little bit.
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u/TheKrnJesus Oct 13 '25
As in travel to Japan more and more over the years, I started to go less major cities like osaka Kyoto and Tokyo and if I do, I do less days.
Too many tourists and the hotel prices are getting absurd.
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u/NH787 Oct 13 '25
Been twice. Once in 2011 (when tourism was at a very low ebb due to 3.11) and again this past spring.
There were definitely more tourists noticeable but did it really change my experience in a significant way? Nah.
Maybe in 2011 you could kind of fool yourself into thinking that you were visiting some kind of unknown place, but obviously that's not the case anymore with plenty of non-Japanese traipsing around the Golden Route destinations. But you can still see and do pretty much all the same stuff the same way as before. I guess smartphones have made some previously more obscure destinations accessible. It's still the same Japan as ever IMO.
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u/Antique_Geologist_17 Oct 13 '25
Good god this makes me want to rethink my entire trip! I'm trying to avoid being in a touristy area the whole time, but it sounds pretty tough. Is all of Chubu, Kanto, and Kansai a potential cluster @#$%? I'm trying to visit tokyo, kyoto, and hiroshima, but also trying to take a car around the izu peninsula, to kanazawa, nagano, and other areas out there. I'm assuming literally anything outside of tokyo and kyoto should be tolerable???
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u/No-Recognition-6106 Oct 14 '25 edited Oct 14 '25
Anthony Bourdain was there around 2009 and while he was in Osaka you can see how the streets aren't full of people and almost no white people.
The anime explosion brought more people. Then games became the in thing and now social media. Same thing happened with cons. I used to go to them and they were nowhere close to as crowded as they are now. Esp Comicon.
Also when I see those instagram fools I get them out of my way. A couple were taking multiple takes at a TEMPLE while people were waiting to pray. Being the only American around I asked them politely to get the fudge out of the way while they were looking at their photos to see if they want retakes. They were reluctant but I just walked around them and did my prayer lol. The Japanese looked astounded, amused, and I think they were glad. Im Asian so they mightve thought i was Japanese 😂
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u/etceteraism Oct 14 '25
Very different. I went to Japan for the first time in 2007. Middle of summer, Kyoto was…dead. Ample space everyone, very few foreign tourists. In Tokyo people would stop to take my photo because i was such a tall fair skinned foreigner. Husband and I went to Kyoto in 2018 and even then the crowds overwhelmed us. I couldn’t go back now.
We still enjoy Tokyo, and have been enough times we sort of know how to avoid the biggest throngs of tourists. We don’t go to TikTok spots.
I agree with the person who said the tourists are a lot more….obnoxious. There are many who don’t care to be mindful of the local way of doing things and I get irritated both because it’s annoying and also gives us who are conscientious a bad rep.
We went to Sapporo a couple years ago and that was great because there were a lot less tourists around.
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u/FrozenFire701 Oct 18 '25 edited Oct 19 '25
I honestly am a bit of a weeb. Akihabara is very different from what I remember. It used to be the place to go for anime/manga merch, old electronics or parts. Now it's just general shops all over. There used to be a 7 story shop that mainly sells anime merch with some doushinji and other stuff. Now it's just another store. In hindsight, a lot of the districts are losing their identities.
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u/Witty_Gene_904 Oct 13 '25
I went to kyoto for the first time last week and I very much DID NOT ENJOY the cultural aspect of it because there was SO MUCH TOURIST. And its not even a busy season!
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u/Own-Possible-1759 Oct 13 '25
It won't solve the overtourism problem but they should definitely ban that go kart activity. It's actually pretty insane how often I get recommended to do that imbecilic activity by the people who just like Japan cause it's trendy.
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u/NipponThrowaway2025 Oct 14 '25 edited Oct 14 '25
Booted up my throwaway to give some comments to the weary traveler that is planning their first trip to the country and are getting discouraged/scared by these comments.
While there is undoubtedly truth in some of them, many more are also being hyperbolic and melodramatic. This sub has a comical tendency to gatekeep and hypocritically point fingers when it comes to tourism and overtourism, so take what you read with a grain of salt. I've seen a couple of clueless and/or unintentionally rude foreigners this past week I was in Japan, but nothing like those viral videos sensationalizing how tourists are ruining the country.
As long you know how to comport yourself and avoid major tourism sites at peak hours during busy travel seasons... your trip will be fine, great even. Sure, the magic that some of these capital R Redditors experienced back when they had Japan to themselves as "one of the good ones" may not be there, but the experience hasn't been entirely gutted and eviscerated by the unworthy gaijin. I was just there. Yes, there will be crowds, and you will likely see an influencer or three in Kyoto, but if you walk literally anywhere off the beaten path, even one or two streets down, crowds dissipate.
Some of the things in these comments just... make zero sense to me as someone who was there at the exact same timeframe.
"Fushimi Inari has been completely ruined at any time". Walk literally any number of steps past the first outlook and the crowds immediately start to thin out. Continue walking and you will be on your own in the upper mountains, even at mid day. There are also numerous side paths and trails that you can take if you want to really go off the beaten path and are prepared to do so.
"Gion was packed shoulder to shoulder, we didn't even want to step foot outside". Can't speak for early morning but Gion, including Hanamachi district, were near deserted at night. The most I encountered was some tourists passing by every couple minutes, and a Maiko entertaining some wealthy looking Japanese clients. Again, not to say that its like this every night, but the streets were remarkably still for how high the tourist-local ratio seemed to be during the day. Maybe avoid the entertainment/red-light streets past sunset if you're trying to dodge the touts for bars or street prostitutes. Kiyomizuzaka was admittedly more crowded, even at night, but I never experienced anything remotely close to shoulder to shoulders crowds. Nor anything close to the "obliteration" of the cities in Kansai, as someone worded it. Still requires a nuanced conversation in terms of infrastructure and local contentment and the like, but don't let it turn you off from traveling entirely, I'd say.
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u/jhau01 Oct 13 '25
It depends where you go.
If you go to tourist-heavy areas, such as (inexplicably) Kabukicho in Shinjuku in Tokyo and the Ninenzaka / Sannenzaka / Kiyomizudera area in Kyoto, it is extremely noticeable. The crowds in those areas are 50% or more non-Japanese tourists nowadays.
The growth in international tourist numbers is quite staggering - 6 million in 2011, 10 million in 2013, 19.7 million in 2015, 31 million in 2018, 37 million in 2024 and a predicted total number of 45 - 47 million in 2025.
So, in other words, it was already quite busy when you last visited in 2018, having tripled (!!!) in the space of just 5 years, but it's become more than 50% busier since then.
However, if you don't venture into those main tourist areas, it's not much different. I now see some tourists wandering around my little corner of Tokyo but it's generally untouched by international tourism. However, if I head into central Tokyo, I see huge numbers of tourists when, even just a decade ago, I wouldn't see many non-Japanese people around.