A Japanese hot springs resort known for its photogenic snow-covered streets began limiting access to visitors on Monday in an attempt to combat overtourism during the winter.
Ginzan Onsen, a relatively isolated town in the Yamagata department in northeastern Japan, attracts around 330,000 visitors each year. Many of them share photos on social networks of its ancient buildings covered in snow, illuminated at nightfall by the orange glow of street lamps, creating a magical atmosphere.
But the authorities of Ginzan Onsen, like those of more famous destinations like Kyoto or Mount Fuji, have decided to take measures in the face of increasing traffic problems, quarrels and other nuisances linked to this influx. From Monday, only people staying in local hotels will be allowed to enter the locality after 8:00 p.m., while those wishing to visit between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. will need to have previously booked.
Japan has seen a record influx of foreign tourists this year, with the weakness of the yen particularly boosting travel. “Traffic jams were sometimes caused by cars getting stuck in the snow because travelers were driving on unsuitable tires,” said Takayuki Saito, head of commerce and tourism for Obanazawa Municipality, where the town is located.
“We have also heard of cases where emergency vehicles were unable to reach” Ginzan Onsen due to traffic jams, added Takayuki Saito, interviewed by “AFP”. Driving there “can be dangerous with poor visibility in snowstorms” in winter, he added.
Until the end of February, day visitors will have to park at a tourist center two kilometers away and take a paid shuttle. Ginzan Onsen's official website says the decision was made after years of debate, citing cases where municipal workers coming to help motorists stranded by snow were “sworn at”, “intolerable” behavior.
More than 33 million foreign visitors entered Japan between January and November, already beating the record for 2019 (nearly 32 million people).
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