The Rising Tide of Tourism and its Impact on Otaru, Japan
Otaru, a charming port city nestled on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, is renowned for its picturesque canal adorned with well-preserved 19th and 20th-century warehouses, steep slopes offering breathtaking sea views, and its featured role in popular films like "Love Letter" and "Cities in Love." These attributes have made it a magnet for tourists, particularly those seeking Instagram-worthy snapshots. However, this surge in popularity has brought with it the challenges of overtourism, forcing the city to implement innovative measures to manage the influx of visitors, especially during peak seasons like the Lunar New Year.
The Funamizaka slope, one of Otaru’s steepest and a prominent location in several films, has become a focal point for tourist congestion. With visitors flocking to capture the perfect photo of the sea and the port, the area often becomes clogged, disrupting local life and raising safety concerns. The city’s decision to deploy security guards on Funamizaka and other popular spots reflects the growing urgency to address overtourism and ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and visitors. These guards are tasked with preventing overcrowding, managing pedestrian flow, and reminding tourists to be mindful of their surroundings and local customs.
The catalyst for this decisive action was a tragic incident involving a tourist who was struck by a train while attempting to take a photo on the railway tracks. This incident highlighted the dangers associated with reckless tourist behavior and underscored the need for proactive measures to prevent similar accidents. The local community expressed mounting frustration over tourists disregarding safety regulations and local customs in their pursuit of the ideal photo opportunity. This unfortunate event served as a wake-up call, prompting the city to take immediate action to address the growing safety concerns.
Otaru’s security measures, which include deploying guards at key locations, displaying multilingual signs urging respect for private property and discouraging road blockage, and increasing police patrols, represent a proactive approach to managing the complexities of overtourism. These initiatives aim to mitigate the disruptive impact of excessive tourism on the local community while ensuring the safety of visitors. The deployment of security guards holding multilingual signs is a strategic move to communicate effectively with international tourists, emphasizing the importance of respecting local customs and prioritizing safety.
The challenges facing Otaru are not unique to the city; they reflect a broader trend of overtourism impacting various destinations across Japan. The Japan National Tourism Organisation has reported a significant increase in tourist arrivals, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, which has further intensified the need for effective management strategies. This surge in tourism underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges posed by overtourism and implementing sustainable practices to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural heritage and natural environments.
Japan is actively implementing various measures to address the challenges presented by overtourism. In Kawaguchiko, a popular destination for viewing Mount Fuji, authorities have resorted to constructing a large screen to obstruct the view of the mountain from certain vantage points, aiming to deter crowds, litter, and trespassing. This unconventional measure highlights the lengths to which some destinations are going to manage the impact of excessive tourism. Furthermore, Japan is developing etiquette guidelines for foreign tourists, utilizing signage, leaflets, and digital platforms in multiple languages to promote respectful behavior and adherence to local customs. These initiatives aim to foster a more harmonious relationship between tourists and local communities.
