‘Beautiful’ city is dubbed the ‘seventh ring of hell’ after tourists take over
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Renowned for its cherry blossoms, cutting-edge technology, and high-speed trains, Japan attracts millions of tourists each year. By the end of 2024, 35 million visitors are expected to have flocked to the vibrant country. But if you’re thinking of joining them, be warned – it might be a bit more crowded than you’d expect.
![[Higashiyama district, Kyoto, Japan]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1465569832.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A recent video posted by @yoohoo.gogo shows hundreds of people tightly packed in and struggling to make their way down the historic Sannenzaka street in Kyoto’s Higashiyama district. In the footage, local authorities can be seen attempting to control pedestrian traffic on the cobblestone street, which leads to the city’s famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
![[JAPAN-CULTURE-FESTIVAL-SETSUBUN]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1246733898.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘You can’t even climb without being pushed by the crowds,’ reads the caption. The video has sparked concerns of overcrowding, with locals claiming ‘Japan has been ruined by over-tourism’, and saying they’re ‘waiting on tourist regulations’.
One user, @themovementclinic, commented: ‘That is insane, I am so happy I went eight years ago, absolutely no crowds.’. Meanwhile, Johnny Waldman, who runs the Japanese art blog Spoon & Tamago, reposted the clip on X with the caption: ‘Unpopular opinion, Kyoto is the seventh ring of hell right now.’.
‘I feel so lucky to have visited before the tourist explosion,’ @josephluria, replied, while @LondonBento shared a photo from 2008 when the area was a ‘quiet side street’, claiming it ‘looks terrible now’. Kyoto’s Sannenzaka Street is one of the city’s most popular attractions, with Tripadvisor reviews describing it as ‘beautiful’ and ‘serene’.
