Kyoto's Geisha District Bans Tourists 🚫 How Expensive Is Travelling Japan? | Watch Now (Patreon)

First off guys, we’ve just released an epic bumper Abroad in Japan episode on How Expensive is it to Travel Japan in 2024, covering everything from hotels and transport, to attractions and food. It was also a great excuse to make it up to Natsuki, after the island camping nightmare (Connor’s treat awaits).

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/bpGO7ZZoJAM 

Now you may recall we covered this topic all the way back in 2017, however a lot has changed. Mainly, Japan is a lot cheaper thanks to a tanking Japanese Yen and the country that has embraced tourism to an incredible degree.

I won’t lie, this video was a massive undertaking, shot all over Tokyo (and bits of Kyoto). We must have spent two weeks stitching it all together. But I hope that in covering just about every aspect of travelling Japan, you’ll be able to estimate how much a trip will cost and take a step closer to coming to Japan for yourself.

Still, the highlight was easily Natsuki’s reaction to the capsule hotel. 

Bloody hilarious seeing him experience it for the first time.

Meanwhile, Japan is treating tourism as though it’ll be the saviour of the economy, with 25 million foreign tourists arriving in 2023.

It’s not without its issues of course; just today Kyoto announced it’s banning tourists from areas of Gion, the historic quarter of the city, famed for the presence of Geisha.

I’m pretty sad to hear this; I was in Gion just last week, strolling through the alleyways taking it all in. It’s not an understatement to say it’s a magical place, with the cramped alleys packed full of traditional wooden Machiya townhouses, red lanterns swinging in the breeze, and the occasional sighting of a Geisha meandering quietly in between restaurants and quaint eateries. 

There’s an authenticity to Gion; in the sense that it’s remained unchanged for centuries; a rare thing for a Japanese city, where buildings go up and down with unrelenting regularity.  

The idea that I and other tourists won’t be able to appreciate that magic, because of moronic behaviour from individuals treating Geisha like theme park attractions, grabbing their kimonos, pulling their hair and trying to frame a selfie shot, fills me with sadness and anger.  

Practically, I’m not yet sure how Kyoto can implement this, especially as the district is packed full of restaurants reliant on passersby for their custom. Apparently, the main street will still be open, albeit with the same signs plastered around, warning the public of the 10,000 yen fine for taking a photo without prior permission. 

But it’s sad to see where things are headed, even if it’s hard to deny it’s a necessary step for the preservation of Kyoto.

The city has taken a bit of a beating in recent times, from bamboo trees being defiled and destroyed in Arashiyama and even a 1,200 year old temple being vandalised in neighbouring Nara by a foreign tourist (who was eventually fined for it).

(Image of Naha temple graffiti. Source: Japan Times)

As a Youtuber encouraging people to visit Japan, I feel a responsibility to ensure the folks I attract to come here don’t end up causing any problems, so I’ll likely address this in a video in the coming days. 

But for now, not-so-great news aside, enjoy our epic video with Natsuki guys and have a great Friday one and all!

🍿 That link again: https://youtu.be/bpGO7ZZoJAM 

All the best,

Chris