Japanese 'Snow' City Imposes Strict Restrictions for Tourists.

Japanese Resort City Limits Day Tourism to Combat Overcrowding

The city of Ginzanso Onsen has decided to impose restrictions on day tourism to combat winter overcrowding. This city, located in the northern Yamagata Prefecture, attracts many tourists each year with its snowy landscapes and hot springs that create a fairy-tale atmosphere.

However, like other popular tourist destinations in Japan, Yamagata has faced issues with traffic jams and other inconveniences. Therefore, to alleviate the situation, new rules for entering the city have been introduced.

«Traffic jams sometimes occurred because motorists arriving on summer tires got stuck in the snow,» said the head of the city’s trade and tourism department, Obanazawa.

Now, after 8:00 PM, only hotel guests staying within the Ginzanso Onsen area may enter the city. To visit between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM, prior reservation is required.

Day tourists are encouraged to leave their vehicles at the tourist center parking lot, located two kilometers from the city, and take shuttle buses to Ginzanso Onsen.

The measures taken were the result of careful research, and the city authorities aim to maintain good relations with tourists. They are outraged by the rude behavior of some tourists when city staff attempt to assist cars that are stuck in the snow.

This year, Japan has become a popular destination for many foreign tourists, driven by a weak yen and the lifting of restrictions following the pandemic. Since the beginning of the year, Japan has welcomed over 33 million foreign tourists, surpassing the previous record set in 2019.

It is worth noting that mass tourism in Japan has led to environmental preservation issues. Therefore, entry taxes for tourists have been implemented, particularly for climbing Mount Fuji, which has limited the number of visitors and contributes to nature preservation.