(important information for tourists coming to Kyoto) Hey John. I live and work in this area. We have official information from the organization that manages events and tourism in Gion Kobu. As of right now, that small alleyway you showed at the beginning of the stream is the ONLY street that's off limits. All the other streets and alleyways are fine to enter, for now. As of right now, they have no official plans to mark off any more streets, but it is possible they will if there continues to be issues.
Thank you for this! I found it odd that there’s no coordination on this info after quite a while. The Kyoto Tourism Office in Kyoto Station had no info on it and there are Japanese citizens writing in that THE WHOLE AREA is banned?! They saw it on the national news. There’s a ton of confusion, and many tourists I encountered were as confused knowing more about the incidents than the rules. Wanting to clarify it, I found that - it’s not clear, lots of signs that don’t mention which street, toilets offices contradicting the news etc. I hope we can fix this so Geisha / Maiko can peacefully get to work but not ruin the omotenashi spirit of Japan for the 99.999% of visitors.
@@onlyinjapanGO it's hard to explain, and I am not too knowledgeable about the relationship myself, but it seems like the organizations that oversee administration in the kagai areas are somehow separate entities from the local Kyoto government. Therefore the local government (tourist offices and official websites) has no access to accurate information. My workplace is very close to Gion, and even we didn't get any "official" map or paperwork or notices or anything like that. There was an older man going door-to-door to businesses in the area letting us know verbally all this information. I don't know why they have to make it so hard to get accurate information! If it's to protect the residents from tourists, then make the information readily and easily accessible to tourists!
I stayed in the Gion area for 3 days. It was such a beautiful place and quiet during the evenings. I saw a Geisha only on the day I was leaving, it was such an amazing moment. We were the only 2 people in that part of the street. And no I didn't whip out my camera. I just watched her pass by. I can't understand why people harras them for pictures. They are just people dressed in their traditional clothes going about thier business.
Visiting for the first time with my family this October. I cannot wait to see these old.streets but I'm a bit hesitant as i really dont want to be disrespectful or invasive to the locals.
The problem is not necessarily the photo. The problem is social media, and a picturesque geotagged photo on the internet bringing 100 tourist a day to your private alleyway hanging out in front of your house. ANYONE, anywhere, would get real tired, real quick if you had a hundred tourist a day walking by your house, posing for pictures, being loud, littering, drinking, etc, etc.
I lived in Kyoto during the end of the pandemic in 2021 for 6 months for my Japanese language school, I was staying at Senbon Dori street, I visited the Gion district couple times, it was just beautiful and magical with no tourists in sight. Just watching and taking in the views it was just relaxing and enjoyable. I love Kyoto very much, I wish I could experience those moments again, sadly it will never be the same.
I was privileged to have a performance by a Geisha and Maiko in Mishimatei Honten restaurant and then they sat with me and cooked my meal and poured the drink. That was as I was a guest of Sony after winning a photographic comp in 2008. The Geisha was 20 and Maiko 15. The music and dance stirred my emotions as I felt so privileged and I realized just how far back this tradition would of been enacted. Thanks Sony! How many people get to experience that!
I saw that too … like what? The darn tourist office said the sign is at the street and says where you can and can’t go. Some said no entry ⛔️ some said no photo - on which street? Is it on Hanamikoji? Is that safe? Only when there’s a Geisha? After the stream, I really started to dislike Kyoto more. Just wall off all the Geisha if it’s private anyway. They probably want city money 💴 and no tourists. Cake and eat it too. It’s an odd problem. Glad I went today but it made me learn they have not solved it yet.
Thank you ^_^ the issue: we have to assume / guess - it’s not easy to know. Kyoto Tourist Info (Kyoto Station) said there are signs to inform me. I asked “what’s off limits, what streets?” and they had no idea. If they don’t know, how should we know?
@@onlyinjapanGO just follow the signs and do your best. If you think you're not sure then just be respectful and not take the photo. You are giving the vibe of making it more complicated than it needs to be. You're overthinking it and being melodramatic. We visited Kyoto for the first time and fell in love with this place, many years ago (2014?) and have visited many more times since and the last few trips back (2018 & 2019) signs of "no photo taking " were popping up and already was losing its Kyoto charm in the Gion area ... we went back in 2022 and seems like 2024 has gotten worse- crowds, buses packed, long waits .... probably will not go back to Kyoto. Not the same 😔
@@kleelee2670well I respect what you say but I’m still going there too not letting anyone anything bother me or stop how I am still important things I need to do to in Japan and other places Asia ones too not stopping me
John I think you are over analyzing this as just use common sense. If there is a sign respect it and they really were easy to understand and in several languages. Also as for the tourist office I myself would not expect them to have a up to date map on something that was just started a month or two ago. I am sure they are still even adding one or more now streets or lanes as they learn more. Also none of this would have been needed if tourists were respectful of the places and local people. I lived in japan from 1980 to 1990's and visited Kyoto and many other sites each year and never noticed any issues. I put most of the blame on cell phones and people wanting instant photo's and video for their social media accounts. Back in the 80's and 90's we did not have to worry about that. We took a pic or video and shared it once we got home with others. So in conclusion just use common sense and anyone would be fine. FYI if I was there when that lady did that to the Geisha I would have spoken up and told her to be respectful.
Last year when I was in Kyoto, I didn't even go into the Gion district, I just walked right past it. Wasn't worth it for me now, it's just full of tourists being rude and feel like my presence there itself was bad for the place. My feeling is I don't want to go to a place where I am not welcome so I'll give it a pass. I did spot one back in 2017 at night though. She appeared out of nowhere in front of me, I pretend I didn't notice and let her walked by and snapped a photo from like 50ft away when she was way past me.
Good!!! Set up rules and signs! A lot of times in Kyoto I passed by the little ally and felt so sorry for the geishas. They should not be chasing like animals, they need privacy and respect!🤔👍
Kyoto was my next place I wanted to visit in Japan, but now I don't want to go. Overtourism is becoming quite common now, especially when someone on social media shares a place, then a quiet/peaceful place turns into a headache. It's happening to places in my country, too, as the world's population grows.
That would sting! If we could understand the parameters, they would start to collect it. I don’t know of anyone who’s had to pay a fine yet. A quiet bark with no bite?
I dunno, I can read the signs but I don’t know which streets are okay. They need a map, on Japan it is customary to have this kind of stuff marked. I get a map of where the construction will happen when they do some in my neighborhood for example. When they start, where etc. If you enter from another end of the street, there’s no sign. You don’t know until you get to the other end that it’s prohibited 😂 that’s the point.
Sorry John, but you're sounding a tad bit fecesus with going into Gion and sounding confused and angry that Gion is overly tourist saturated. I can't tell if you're taking the residents' side or a possible tourists' side on this. TL:DR just don't go into Gion. Just slap a big "Do not enter Gion" sign and post a bouncer there. Done deal.
I went to investigate first hand when I’ve seen, ask for info and make it clear but I left confused and feeling disappointed. That’s just how I honestly felt. I’m glad I went, I understand the situation much better now. I think if they don’t want any tourists, make a wall. But then Kyoto stops giving taxes to them. There’s politics happening here. But I can understand local feeling. Can’t let .001% change things for the others
The Chinese tourists were talking about where to take photographs . They are loud in order to get others attention. Is an elderly woman(tended to be loud). The young ones are quieter.
You have to wonder, do you think the obnoxious lady tourist (that was caught obviously harassing the poor Maiko trying to go about her Business) knows that she is now the sensationalized example of the worst tourist ever?
By posting this video, you became a part of the problem. I understand the no photo zones may not be clearly marked, but you showed the local people going about their business in the back alleys. Your idea is very wrong that Kyoto should be more accommodating to the tourists. Why do the people in Gion have to put up with the shallow tourists with no common sense?
There’s a lot of RU-vid channels (foreign & local) based on Geisha spotting. They’re like paparazzi sort of. Some just follow them through the entire District
Yes, I love the way you put this. No need to pull out a camera, just enjoy the fortunate moment and smile! Life moves fast, you might miss it if you’re looking for your camera phone all the time.
For real? Why? They are paid workers, no different from a hostess (in honest reality). If you really believe that you just endure the Kill Bill films, and be sucker for the Japan mythology. Seeing an honest Japanese politician (or businessman) is a far rarer experience.
It is not confusing, you make it confusing 😅 Just don't enter the streets with the signs and don't make a picture/video in those streets.. We have been there a few weeks ago. We did encounter 2 police officers keeping people from the middle of the street 😂 (Why do people want to walk there and get hit by all the taxi's that drive there?!)
There are too many signs, some pointing nowhere and there is no signage at the other end of the street! You enter not knowing if it’s banned. Also, I’ve been told it’s only ONE alley right now and it seems the neighborhood just posted signs everywhere. When the Kyoto Tourist Office has no info on what alley is banned and what tourists can / cannot use a smartphone, the answer is not clear, even now. I saw no photo signs and a few streets but only 1 small alley is said to ban entry and photos, the small one at the beginning. What’s with the dozen other signs then? It is seriously not what you think because they over posted signs here. However, I think they may keep working on it because it sends the wrong message to 99.99% of decent tourists.
I think they banned entry only on the "private" owned street. And they hope people now won't be like that lady, taking pictures of the people working there. If you would be vlogging around and don't suddenly turn when you see an maiko approaching it should be fine right. The people who work there should not be bothered.
@@leylafashion exactly but the signs ... they're not for that alley. They're on the Main Street! They just posted signs all over the place not knowing - for where? That's why I asked for a map from Touist Info. Let's hope they fix this. It brings the neighborhood down, the 0.001% win and the 99.999% lose.
It would be more clear if they said. Don't enter the road with the sign that says "don't enter" and don't take pictures of the people working in the "whole" area...
I wanted to investigate this. “Over tourism” is a negative word. You’re right, this is negative. The more I see at how Japan is approaching these issues, the more I wonder if Japan’s losing that omotenashi spirit and it concerns me. It doesn’t feel like the right message. I’ll be off this story soon. I’m happy about that now. Thank you ^_^
@@onlyinjapanGO I actually feel like since covid has gone away, there has been this desperate need for SO MUCH more people to visit Japan based on the social media content they are seeing, short attention span clips etc and some are of a new generation that perhaps don't do the research before they head over and there is some dumb ignorance about them. The two times I went I did lots of research and I knew ahead of time the do's and don'ts before I arrived. Plus just some common sense in general. But I see less people online having that mindset now. More so with these trending spots you have been to and how the people are behaving there. I would be giving advice to people to not go to these spots and find your own unique place and go off the beaten path a bit. I did that myself and found a few amazing things that I only told some others about it through word of mouth. 2016 and 2019 were the years I went to Japan and if I can visit again in the future, I fear the vibe will be a bit different on the third time.
He's earning a living and this is a big deal, and he doesn't just walk around but also a lot of cultural discussions so this is relevant for his followers.
I learned - it’s not so clearly marked 😂 you enter from one side, no sign, you learn after taking photos there were no photos allowed. It’s not as clear as I originally thought and that’s the problem, the Gion Association thinks it’s clear, but the official Kyoto Tourist Office has no info about this. I asked point blank, where can’t I take photos? Do you have a map? They said no, we don’t know - you can just take photos if you don’t see the sign. I didn’t know where it starts and stops, the signs didn’t say the street. I believe it’s just when there is a geisha around. The fine is to punish abusers perhaps. I don’t think one can be fined for filming without the harassment. The tourist office said the whole area is not private. Just some streets. (Which streets?) they didn’t say.
Good summary. Well put. I don't know how much of a problem this is but in general if Japan is that quick to react touriats will find other ways to retaliate and play reverse psychology, not to mention Japan will lose its charm. I get what they're trying to preserve but alternative measures like photo ops for Geisha will take away a lot of the harassment, aka give them what they want instead of imposing restrictions. Most toursits are well intended and these measures kinda ruin it for everyone. Japan needs to be able to deal with both sides of tourism, and not by discouraging it... @@onlyinjapanGO
It’s appalling how little respect some tourist behave . Not just in Japan but other nations as well. I just don’t understand how people blithely act when confronted with the social expectations of the localities they visit . It’s pure narcissism .
That’s an important point, this poor behavior isn’t just in Japan. It’s global. Travelers used to be quite sophisticated and educated which is why they wanted to travel. These days it’s cheap and instead of getaways to local spots, they’re traveling abroad to countries with much different cultures. Just the times we live in.
I think it’s important to note that the “alleys” where people are prohibited to enter are “private” properties, thus the owners can do whatever they want. People who go on to those properties are trespassing. The same thing with some tourists trying to get into an entry areas of private homes. I think it is just a common sense. It’s too bad that such a common sense has to be made explicit because of a few(I hope) bad apples.
That should be listed on a map so tourists know because Gion is also a tourist zone. I think they just posted more signs everywhere even on public property. I don’t know what’s NG and what’s public and I hope instead of just posting more signs and press releases in Japan to the domestic news, they educate tourists because 99.9% genuinely want to follow rules but don’t quite understand it. “Don’t take photos of Geisha” would be a sign that is easy to understand. No photo signs on Hanamikoji-dori are confusing. It’s a pubic road as far as I know with cars driving down it. Why are there signs turned sideways there?
Indeed! I think they should just say, put your camera away and enjoy the view. But what’s Kyoto city property and private - is still not clear and the city isn’t helping to inform tourists of the areas they can get fined. It’s a mess.
Kyoto people hate outsiders even Japanese from different city. They even hate people from Kyoto prefecture outside of Kyoto city. Super duper conservative and they think they are above anybody in Japan. They make everything complicate on purpose to keep Kyoto Kyoto people only. Keep away from Kyoto and go to Nara. Nara has older buildings and older cultures, but people are so much nicer and take it easy atmosphere. Tourists friendly city.
Hey, John, do you know that Kyoto has a very popular as well as a famous school, called TACHIBANA. Many of the students there are very good in their band 🎺🎺🎺🎷🎷🥁🥁🥁🎷🎷🎷🥁🥁🥁🎺🎷parade 👍👍👍👍👍👍
I've been there and I remember that rock. Shame no longer able to wander around freely. Walked through at night , surreal feeling. But, a few ruin it for all.
As a tourist why not go and purchase one of the beautiful dolls or a set of postcards of Gion and the geishas, instead of tying to get "the shot". And no John I'm sure the authorities are quite aware of what you are doing. I'm sure they pay attention somewhat to your content as you worked for NHK World etc.
It's not nearly the same thing. Photography is a different hobby than buying a postcard. If you are planning to publish a picture somewhere, using the picture in a postcard may be a copyright violation towards the photographer of the postcard. Having said that, I wouldn't bother any geisha as it clearly seems to be a major problem for their privacy - that's different.
This is right, after all these signs, I think the answer is, if you see a geisha, leave her be to do her job. Put your camera away. That was my take away today.
@@Ximonic I'm not referring to people who are photographers, I'm talking about tourists who are busy snapping away for their holiday. Kyoto requires those who are photographers to apply for a permit for those kinds of photos you wish to publish somewhere. I wasn't trying to pick a fight with anyone. Just opening up other ideas about tourists having something for their holiday memories. Cheers.
@@fleurbee8360 If it's just for a personal memory, maybe a card could also do. My observation was, that the majority of people take pictures of themselves and use the place only as a backdrop. I'm quite sure it's only for social media, and geotagging a popular place in a popular media service may snowball the popularity and overload a particular place, while the people themselves get more attention via popular geotags. I think, this is a very different outcome compared to old fashioned documentary photography of places, which I guess wouldn't cause nearly as much harm. Maybe a mandatory permission for such problematic places would solve it partly, although there are people who will do anything to get the shot regardless. I saw people crossing a rope with big signs saying something like ''No crossing! Nature conservation''. There were a constant stream of model women with personal photographers trying to get the same shot with Fuji and bagoda behind. The grass was gone.
i wanna visit japan again but it feels like recently due to overtourism, tourists are unwelcome and treated like pests by the residents there...and the thought of paying money to be treated as unwanted visitors just turns me off.
I really understand you. I’m processing what I saw and experienced today. I ended with a sour tasted trying to make sense of it but this is true, there are a ton of places that are more welcoming of tourists. Kyoto was another level 😅 I think Kyoto wasn’t so crowded today but I think in a couple of weeks summer vacationers will be here and it’ll really peak. I really feel you will still be welcomed everywhere! I can’t see where this goes in 1-2 years though and that concerns me.
I'm not sorry that the "omotenashi" is gone John! It's a lesson on what happens when you disrespect a person and/or place! But it was nice to know that you saw respectful tourists. And when watching your video just saw, someone in the live stream said "We will pay for your fine?!?" That's the problem! That mindset! It's not about the money! It's about respect! What part of that is this person not understanding? Disappointed to hear that from one of your viewers 😮😢 SMH 😮😮 ANYWAYS... thank you so much John for being the ideal and respectful person that you are! ❤😊
It doesn’t say the street, there is no sign on the other side or other end of the street, there’s no map that lists the off limit areas … 🤦🏻♂️ it’s not as easy as one would assume because figuring this out is really all assumption. See a Geisha, put the camera away. How ‘bout that?
Ah, some signs say the streets are monitored by CCTV 🤨 not sure, but they certainly need staff on the ground. The official Kyoto Tourism Office could not answer any questions regarding this. Doesn’t that seem like a problem?
Things like this, the taxes on tourists and the almost no progress to use that to help. They just launched a new bus service at Kyoto Station. We’ll see what happens. Tourist prices, over crowding. It makes me feel tired and the opposite of how one should feel visiting Kyoto. Morning are the only time you can really enjoy Kyoto, 5am to 7:30am when people aren’t out yet and the sun is up. Just changed too much, feels like a tourist trap.
I dated a Chinese girl in high school and one time her mom started screaming up the stairs and I got so scared that something bad had happened and I asked my gf what was going on and she said nothing just dinner is ready.
If Google Maps can add a RED line like when there’s traffic for driving, markets of what’s off limits, that would be helpful. O oh one alley apparently is actually impacted by the ban. The other signs are just - more signs for that one alley- which add to the confusion.
I notice the fines are without photo permit. So it seems like an extra layer you have to deal with in order to prove you will be respectful touring and photographing the area. I wonder if they offer special guided tours as well?
Signboards on one end of the street to roads that are not really banned. According to the pinned comment here, it's one small alley only. More signage ... but we need a map so we're all on the same page here.
Thank you John for sharing this information. I traveled to Japan in March 2023 and will return in September 2024 and I appreciate your information. It's a shame that things have to be like this. I think we will eliminate that area from our plans. Why do people have to ruin everything? It's so easy to be respectful of others people's culture. I wouldn't feel comfortable either 😞 My daughter lives in Shizuoka and we love to travel to see her.
I am going to Osaka in 2025 Jan and probably going pass Kyoto as well. Frankly, I believe should everyone should asked before taking any photos or even posting online. Not really a problem for me as I don't really bothered to take any photos.
Kyoto during the lockdown must be magical . I was there almost 2 decades ago where there were hardly any Chinese tourists . No one was crazy taking pictures but back then the phones weren’t so smart and social media didn’t exist. I was with an Aikido dojo trip so we were instructed well.
Not as bad as I thought. Generally just appears to be common sense. The signs are pretty clear and there dont seem to be too many of them. But if a tourist has paid to see a show or go to a restaurant down one of these allies, how would police know? It's my only concern. Other than that, I can see it being a good idea given there are many disrespectful tourists unfortunately. Its not as bad as an overreaction as covering up Mt Fuji at the lawson lol. When I was in Tokyo, I walked past many ally ways but neglected to enter as I assumed private property. I agree though, the government should be clearer on these locations and provide the tourism office a detailed map so tourists are aware prior to visiting.
Do you think it's a possibility for Japan to have fake geisha just for tourists to take photos of? Perhaps even having a sign that says that the photo friendly
On my first trip to Kyoto there was a Maiko on Shirakawa-dori one night, sitting quietly and allowing the tourists (both foreign and Japanese) to take all sorts of photos. This was in 2004. I don't know if it was an organized thing or just a random happening, but it seemed like it would be a good idea. Then again, tourist behavior has deteriorated somewhat since then, so I'm not sure if it's actually a good idea anymore...
Ok i understand the logic here, but it would probably be better if foreigners can just respect the culture and act civilized, I know that will be hard because western society have lost their roots and basically have no culture and traded it in for political correctness and capitalism. Japan doesnt need to go out of their way to appease tourists. But if they chose to do this it may work.
Apparently, there is CCTV on the private roads and they’ll call the police if anyone enters … many of the signs on public spaces are believed to be just to frighten people 🤔 it’s so confusing.
Hmm, I still don’t understand it. Some streets have signs, some don’t. I get the ones with the signs but if you enter from the other end of the road, there’s no sign 😂 get it? Who knows 🤷🏻♂️ until it’s too late and you see the sign after you’ve been taking photos. I dunno, I want a map showing the road names and the rules. What’s public and private? Even the tourism office doesn’t have this info. (I asked.)
Brilliant John very useful as all ways, I have been guilty of photographing Geisha & Maiko but at the time I did ask & they where very sweet & let me also I did see them being chased like in that video clip. I'm hoping to come back to japan later this year but when in Kyoto I'll keep my camera in my bag. I do enjoy being in Kyoto but I prefer Tokyo as there's so much more to do & see. I found there's more food choice in Tokyo best wishes
Too many bad tourists are so rude and disrespectful, just like that "karen" taking photos to a Geisha/Maiko but also taking photos despite the traffic lights in front of Lawson store at Kawaguchi Lake.😡😢 ///simile: One grain of mouse droppings spoils the whole vat of rice///
I will always have to visit Kyoto, it’s an important place in Japan. When I do, I don’t want to violate any rules but honestly, it must be clearer. Those streets I filmed in are no banned but at the end, seeing signage, I was not sure … left with bad feeling.
More and pointing in weird directions, not always easy to see and if you come from the other end of the street, you might miss it. It’s not marked on any official maps so no one is clear.
I think people need to use some common sense, I guess. I wouldn't like people taking pictures of me without my permission so I wouldn't take pictures of others without their permission. Same with people's homes. I guess I will never to to Gion because I already live in fear of doing something wrong.
I think with so many tourist you can hire or pay tourist police or plain Local government units to enforce regulations and laws, no need to generaluze tourists because most are just enjoying the change of scenery.
Speaking of westerners not knowing how to pronounce Japanese words, Babish (cooking channel) call TonKOTsu ramen, TonKATsu ramen....even he doesn't know the difference between the 2 or able to tell he difference between the letter A and letter O. lol He was holding the packet with the English word on there and still said it wrong.
Oh, I’ve done that before, when I first got here 😂 if you don’t know Japanese katakana or hiragana, or kanji, the meaning or the symbols, it really is harder to remember in Roman letters.
I do think a map needs to be created for tourists. It would save so many people making mistakes and good tourists getting caught up with a reputation as a bad tourist. I hate disrespecting any culture. I am over cautious when in Japan as not to offend. I still bow even when I come home because I think it’s so respectful.
This right here is what makes me anxious. I am going to be in Kyoto in a few weeks, my fear is, how am I supposed to know which roads I am not able to walk down? I feel like the signs can be missed, last time I was in Kyoto in 2021 they already had the signs for no pictures on roads, but a couple of times I missed them because they were in the middle of an alley-way instead of where I entered it. I am respectful and certainly wasn't taking picture of people, but I wanted to make sure I was following the rules. So now, to be safe, I was looking online for a map, but there was none. You went to the visitor center and they also don't have a map or even know the streets. So this makes me feel not welcomed and anxious about whether I am in a place I should be.
Exactly. I think if you see a Geisha, put the camera away. Don’t enter that one small alley that says do not enter. The rest - is fine. Photos are fine. Just not at locals and geisha. People taking photos in front of restaurants they are at! Is that not okay? Confusing. I hope they clear it up, I left with a bad taste in my mouth.
Hi John! I wonder if it would be worth it to interview folks for an episode about the lagging Omotenashi, and how maybe incoming tourists can help mitigate the problem. Great video as usual!
Staying in Kyoto in September don’t really want to visit that district but girlfriend wants to so get there early and leave early more excited about visiting Amanohigashidate
I heard that too. Many refugees went around WWII to settle. I’d love to learn more about this. There’s a big Brazilian population in Toyohashi and Gunma.
That’s not a good thing, it feels like the .001% ruined it for the 99.999% and I don’t know if Kyoto will be the same. The images I’ve seen are so disturbing, I can’t blame locals for taking strict measures but also, you can’t keep tax and tourist money coming in. There’s a balance. Maybe it works out in a year when it settles down?
Is photo banned only for taking photo of Maiko, Geisha only or total banned on everything ? Some of the old traditions home architects are lovely pity if they are banned to photo . The old town just similar to old Kanazawa where many tourists visit .
Exactly, the messaging is super confusing. I guess all the time? The official tourist office has no info, no maps, no policy - it’s like it’s just to scare people off 🤦🏻♂️ multiple tourists were talking about this as well as I walked by them.
I don’t understand this myself - a lot of people had smartphone taking photos on Hanamikoji Street. But there was a sign that maybe it was no good? I dunno 🤷🏻♂️ things why it’s a mess to me.
They need a yurikyara maiko for Kyoto and then tourist can take their pictures. Or have actresses dressed as geisha/maiko all at a location near Yasaka Shrine. Generally, tourist cannot distinguish the actual people. Sometimes they take pictures with those that rent costumes. I have seen that and laugh to myself. The government should not think that they are downplaying the profession. It will keep the tourist satisfied. Do they want to be bankrupt again?
I am glad I visited Kyoto in 1970. I have zero desire to visit today, and in fact cancelled the trip I had planned. It would have been far better to have body guards for the geisha and a private security presence to stop the minority of tourists who are disrespectful. Why not just put up a big sign stating the truth, “We want your money, not your presence!”
The alleys are very narrow, even if every tourist is respectful, a big amount of people is going to be messy. Only those narrow streets are off limits.
09:30 it's off limit 14:00 also off limit. And 18:09 They show the map of the off limited area in the national tv news many times. Basically private street & private properties are off limits. You can only walk on hanamikoji until Kenninji, turn right, or turn left. That's it. Just don't bother to ask or try which one is okay, which one is not. Consider everything off limits. The tension over there is already so high, John, we don't want to anger the locals even more. I've seen several cases the locals already quite hostile towards tourists. Don't let them reinforce the rules even more because of our ignorance, play safe. You've live here for decades, i'm sure you know how they do things. Especially Kyoto people.
The national News - no tourists from abroad watch it. The Official Kyoto Tourist Office has zero info on it. No one know what’s private and not - the signs are not exactly clear. They often don’t exist on the other ends of the road. Has anyone actually been fined? Every tourists is trying their best not the break the rules but few understand them, to this day. Just don’t harass the geisha, no photos. “Consider everything off limits” is not a policy that will work. Having tourists make assumptions is … lazy. I can see the locals have just given up, I can understand why, but the measures are sloppy. It really makes me dislike Kyoto even more. Locals need to understand the messaging is not clear. More problems will absolutely occur here and after visiting, I can see who now. I’m glad I investigated today. I’m sad about it - it’s a big mess, so many red flags 🚩
Dude!!! You're just a 15 min walk away from where I live!! Do you wanna meet up and get something to eat? There are tonnes of things that people don't seem to really know about here, like the international manga museeum - you can film in there (except for just a few sections, or that Nintendo actually has their headquarters here, and...sadly it got repurposed in 2020, but they had the original building from way back when Nintendo sold playing cards. I'd love to show you some oddities that might be interesting for your channel. I live near horikawa gojo if you're interested.
Was there a week ago and it’s a mess. I doubt if anyone will enforce the law. Not sure if I will go back to Kyoto. Prefer Kanazawa as it is still quiet and not overruned by tourists. Hope nobody goes there 😂
I've been to Kyoto for the first time two weeks ago. The stream of tourists and the rip-offs are a major turn off. Yes, the city is historic and has some beautiful corners but it is so overrated. Happy that this is now gone from the bucket list and I'll probably not go there again...
The Kyoto countryside is lovely, but so is Kanazawa - smaller and easier to get around. More open. Strong Geisha culture. Try there next time. Higashi Chaya is very touristy but it’s done well, esp in the AM. No lines. No buses. You can walk everywhere.
@@onlyinjapanGO No doubt there're lovely spots but it's hard to escape the masses of tourists and the price rip-offs. Arashiyama was a real treat, location wise, the old tram from there to the city was a lot of fun, too. Any place people would have needed to walk to were also nice, like the top part of Fushimi Inari shrine. Anyway, I'd rather explore some lesser known areas of Japan rather than going to Kyoto again; Kyoto might have a lot of nice machiyas but it's far from the only area where one can find those...
WAGYU Beef 🥩 is the most precious and most expensive beef 🥩 in Japan 🇯🇵 because the farmers feed these cows 🐄 🐂🐄🐂🐄🐂🐄with beer 🍻 🍻🍺🍻🍺and they massage their cattle’s .
Ah, I love this comment. No one feeds them beer, although there was a commercial for it about 35 years ago for Matsuzaka Beef in Mie, not Kobe. If they did drink beer, they sure would be suffering from a hangover the next day no? That can’t be good 😂
Omoshiroku nai. A private road would mean no funding from the city- and ownership is by the residents… I doubt that is the case in Gion. Just build a wall around the Gion and limit tourists by permit only… the surrounding businesses would begin to suffer and fall into decline… a never ending cycle. 😢
The stance that Japan is taking (and not taking) as far as the increase in tourism does invite an amount of ridicule that is justified. What other developed nation manages tourism in such a haphazard way and still comes off as insular and self absorbed? "Don't be a jerk" is pretty standard everywhere a person travels but Japan is arguing from a position as if people specifically come to their nation out of all nations to be jerks and they are justified in making rules that come off as ridiculous or esoteric. I am not advocating harassment or anything of the sort but when you have people coming back from their trip this spring saying that the whole experience felt greedy and predatory to the tourist as in "Your a westerner with money on vacation, don't complain and deal with it. And PS 'over tourism' is problem and you are here and part of the problem by your de facto presence." It is so very immature for the nation to complain yet allow the travel visas which result in the 'over tourism.' I wish I had dollar for every time someone said "have your cake and eat it too" in reference to Japan's stance on tourism amidst it's failing domestic economy and birth rate. John has said it at least twice but has pivoted as more of defender and sometimes is at a loss for words because it doesn't always make sense.
It's really an impossible situation for the local governments, you have to understand. They want the influx of tourist money and in some places it is vital to local economies, but with such a large number of tourists even a small percentage of disrespectful people will cause problems for the locals, who will then complain to the government to do something about it. But they can only do so much without hurting the tourist economy they rely on. I found that the tourist infrastructure in Japan was really quite good especially compared to many other countries I have visited. They usually do a very good job. This huge influx of tourists would put a strain on even the best of systems.
