Tokyo Major Japan prepares Japanese tourist spots are working feverishly to get ready for the influx of tourists that will put a burden on public transportation over the forthcoming Golden Week holidays—the first since significant influenza restrictions were lifted.
In Kyoto, crowded city buses are become commonplace. Therefore, the city is urging passengers to utilize special tickets to travel for free from the buses to the city-run subway system between April 27 and May 6. The bus price of 230 yen ($1.46) is all that a rider needs to pay to utilize the service.
The free subway program specifically intends to reduce bus crowding on the route that connects Kyoto Station to the Kanauji temple. The path passes through the town center, and a large number of people use it, including just people living in Kyoto.
Bus capacity is severely limited as a result of the increase in visitors, many of whom are carrying large amounts of luggage.
Kyoto is also stepping up the number of buses that run between Kyoto Station and the Kiyomizudera temple during Golden Week. Arrivals of buses will occur every three to four minutes. In June, direct-service buses will begin operation.
Higher bus frequency will serve other popular Kyoto tourist attractions, like the Heian-jingo Shrine, to further reduce crowding.
Additionally, Kyoto installed monitors at Kyoto Station that play live footage of the city’s tourism attractions for tourists. You can also view the video streams online. The intention is to indicate to visitors which locations are less congested so they may arrange their travels appropriately.
Another temple city, Kamakura, has seen a significant increase in visitors due to its convenient location near Tokyo. International tourists have gathered in large groups in front of stations, blocking foot traffic.
English-speaking volunteers have been stationed at Kamakura since mid-April to direct tourists to their destinations and reduce traffic. Previously available just on weekends and holidays, the guides will now be available during Golden Week on weekdays as well.
Since 2023, Kamakura has been in discussions with the central government, local transport operators, and Fujisawa, a nearby city, about managing over tourism during Golden Week.
Eshima Electric Railway, which runs a well-liked vintage train to nearby tourist attractions, intends to host a “socialexperiment” to assist the residents in the midst of the Golden Week congestion between May 3 and May 5. Customers who show documentation that they reside along the rail line will be permitted entry into Kamakura Station without having to wait outside if the line to board is longer than Kamakura Station.
Park-and-ride lots have been established in Kamakura so that visitors can leave their automobiles there and use public transport to their destination, thereby distributing crowds and reducing traffic. The train of the Eshima Electric Railway has parking at these locations. To sweeten the deal, park-and-ride patrons will receive discounts and other benefits from participating retailers and temples.
The number of climbers on Mount Fuji will be limited; the climbing season opens in July. On the most popular climbing route, Yamanashi prefecture will erect a barrier at a shared starting point halfway up the mountain and restrict daily access to 4,000 persons.
In addition to the 1,000 yen voluntary donation currently requested of climbers, a toll of 2,000 yen per person will also be needed to pass through the gate. The gates will close at 4 p.m. and reopen at 3 a.m.
There are no tolls on the highways that travel through Shizuoka Prefecture on its side of Mount Fuji. However, it will begin a trial where staff is stationed near paths and entry is restricted after 4 p.m. to deter people from speedily ascending to the summit to witness the sunrise without lodging at a mountain lodge.
Renowned Japanese tourist locations including Kyoto, Kamakura, and Mount Fuji have amassed experience in handling sizable numbers of foreign visitors.
Other travel destinations might have to follow similar in order to maintain a balance with the everyday lives of locals as more travelers flood to Japan this summer to take advantage of the depreciating yen.
Article Source asia.nikkei
