It is known that local authorities in Japan have always received countless reports of tourists trespassing on private property, running into tea rooms or private homes, disturbing and even chasing geisha and maiko on the street, forcing them to take photos with them, snatching hair ornaments... Some tourists are so inconsiderate that they chase women wearing kimono on the street, pulling their clothes because they mistake them for geisha... causing disturbances to the lives of local people.
After all verbal efforts to stop them failed, an association of local residents and shop owners in Kyoto's Gion district recently introduced a regulation prohibiting tourists from taking photos or filming geisha on the streets without their permission. The regulation came into effect on October 25, and violators could be fined up to 10,000 yen (about 2 million VND). Surveillance cameras were installed, and even if violators were not immediately arrested, their identities could still be traced.
However, the Gion district government has not confirmed how this regulation will be enforced or how fines will be imposed. Accordingly, many notice boards prohibiting photography have been placed all over the streets in this district. Local people are also actively distributing leaflets to help international visitors get more information. Only the famous Hanamikoji street still allows tourists to film and take photos normally, other areas do not.
Two years ago, the city also released an English-language guide on how to behave politely when visiting the city, along with a list of activities that tourists could be fined for, including smoking in public and drunk cycling.
Kyoto isn’t the only city dealing with rude tourists. Last year, Kamakura, famous for its giant Buddha statue, posted signs asking tourists not to eat while walking. In Japanese culture, eating while doing physical activity is considered disrespectful.
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