Tranquil and blanketed in pristine white snow, the Japanese metropolis of Otaru serves because the backdrop of a preferred 1995 romance blockbuster that continues to convey starry-eyed vacationers to the area each winter.
However this sleepy metropolis tucked away on the west coast of the island of Hokkaido has turn out to be the most recent flashpoint in Japan’s ongoing battle towards overtourism.
Native authorities just lately deployed safety guards to remind vacationers to chorus from unruly behaviors, together with trespassing onto non-public premises and obstructing street site visitors.
The elevated give attention to international vacationers follows the demise of a Hong Kong lady on the outskirts of Otaru. The 61-year-old vacationer was hit and killed by a prepare on January 24 whereas reportedly snapping images on the tracks at Asari Station, recognized for its view of the shoreline juxtaposed by trains passing by the snow.
Nevertheless, Otaru Metropolis Corridor officers informed CNN vacationers had been inflicting disruptions since earlier than the traveler’s demise.
Otaru, which has a inhabitants of about 100,000 individuals, recorded 98,678 in a single day worldwide guests final 12 months, the very best quantity on file. That determine doesn’t embody these making day journeys from Sapporo, Hokkaido’s capital, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) southeast.
Components of Japanese director Shunji Iwai’s “Love Letter” — a movie through which the demise of a person brings his fiancé and his highschool crush collectively to retrace his life — had been shot there.
Funamizaka is one specific space that rocketed to undesirable fame after being featured within the movie. The neighborhood affords an elevated view of a quintessential Japanese avenue lined with wood homes with snow piled up on their doorways. On the finish of the slope is a panoramic view of the Sea of Japan.
Since late final month, Metropolis Corridor has deployed three safety guards to Funamizaka to show banners warning towards unhealthy vacationer conduct.
The safety personnel additionally reminded guests that littering and obstructing roads are prohibited and that offenders will likely be fined, officers informed CNN. Throughout peak hours, native police have additionally been deployed to help in managing the realm.
The safety measures will final till no less than March 31, Otaru officers stated.
Winter is peak vacationer season in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan. – DoctorEgg/Second RF/Getty Photos
A world difficulty
Native media have reported that employees are handing out warnings in English, Chinese language and Korean.
Safety was beefed up forward of the Lunar New Yr vacation interval when Chinese language vacationers typically journey abroad.
On Chinese language social media app Xiaohongshu, or Purple Notice, posts of how you can re-create the most effective angles from the film abound.
“Due to your letter, I got here to Otaru,” one consumer wrote in a put up final week, including tricks to get the most effective angle of Funamizaka. The road references a plot level of the “Love Letter” film.
One other consumer posted a video of Tenguyama, a mountain featured within the movie.
“The snow in Hokkaido is my love letter to winter this 12 months,” she wrote.
An Otaru Metropolis Corridor official informed CNN that the safety measures usually are not aimed on the rise of Chinese language vacationers particularly however are a response to the general bounce in worldwide guests.
Vacationers stroll previous the black display screen that was erected to dam picture ops in Fujikawaguchiko. – David Mareuil/Anadolu/Getty Photos
Overtourism in Japan
Residents of Otaru aren’t the one group in Japan getting pissed off concerning the added consideration.
In Might final 12 months, Fujikawaguchiko, a small city on the base of Mount Fuji, needed to erect a big black internet to dam the view of a preferred picture spot at a comfort retailer.
The shop, which is ready towards the mountain, was attracting a every day vacationer scrum that inconvenienced residents. The web was removed in August after the craze subsided.
Some well-known vacationer locations have additionally applied measures to regulate the rising movement of vacationers.
Ginzan Onsen, a preferred Japanese scorching spring city recognized for its scenic snowy views, began limiting entry to day trippers throughout peak season in December final 12 months.
Situated within the Yamagata area about 260 miles north of Tokyo, the city is known for its picturesque surroundings, together with conventional Edo-period buildings blanketed in snow — purported to be the inspiration for Oscar-winning animator Hayao Miyazaki’s movie “Spirited Away.”
Different locations comparable to Mount Fuji and Himeji Fort — Japan’s largest fort, situated in western Hyogo Prefecture – are proposing to boost entry charges for guests.
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