Japanese city hires security guards to control selfie-taking tourists
Japanese city hires security guards to control selfie-taking tourists offering vantage points for sea views and Instagram-worthy shots
A small and picturesque port city in Japan has hired security guards to police selfie-taking tourists.
Known for its pretty canal lined with well-preserved 19th and 20th-century warehouses,
Otaru is bracing for excess visitors arriving for the lunar new year. Located on the island of Hokkaido, the city has many steep slopes, offering vantage points for sea views and Instagram-worthy shots.
coming up efforts against over tourism. Guards will prevent visitors from flocking to take coveted pictures of the sea and the port and clogging up the area. Funamizaka, one of Otaru’s steepest slopes, is famous as a location in several films, including the 1995 Japanese film
A small and picturesque port city in Japan has hired security guards to police selfie-taking tourists.
Known for its pretty canal lined with well-preserved 19th and 20th-century warehouses, Otaru is bracing for excess visitors arriving for the lunar new year.
Located on the island of Hokkaido, the city has many steep slopes, offering vantage points for sea views and Instagram-worthy shots.
With tourists expected to gather on the famous Funamizaka slope for the Lunar New Year Spring Festival,
Otaru is stepping up efforts against over tourism.
Guards will prevent visitors from flocking to take coveted pictures of the sea and the port and clogging up the area. Funamizaka, one of Otaru’s steepest slopes, is famous as a location in several films, including the 1995 Japanese film
tracks for a photo opportunity and did not notice the oncoming train.
The death prompted locals to express concern over tourists as they attempted to recreate scenes from their favourite movies,
with near-death incidents occurring as visitors engaged in risky behaviours to get the best photos.
Japanese city hires security guards to control selfie-taking tourists
As reported in the West Australian, a resident told a local TV station that the incident was “an accident waiting to happen”. “Tourists regularly take photos between the crossing gates.
Trains have been stopped multiple times as a result.” What will the guards do?
In response to the growing pressures of over tourism and poor visitor behaviour in Japan, security guards have been deployed at key spots in Otaru earlier to manage the influx of overseas visitors and prevent further
tracks for a photo opportunity and did not notice the oncoming train.
The death prompted locals to express concern over tourists as they attempted to recreate scenes from their favorite movies
with near-death incidents occurring as visitors engaged in risky behaviors to get the best photos.
As reported in the West Australian, a resident told a local TV station that the incident was “an accident waiting to happen”. “Tourists regularly take photos between the crossing gates.
Trains have been stopped multiple times as a result.” What will the guards do?
In response to the growing pressures of overtourism and poor visitor behaviour in Japan,
security guards have been deployed at key spots in Otaru earlier to manage the influx of overseas visitors and prevent further accidents.
Earlier this week, guards stationed at three popular locations held English, Chinese,
and Korean signs, urging curious tourists to respect private property and avoid blocking roads while taking selfies.
The security measures will stay in place until the end of March, with local police increasing patrols.
The drastic move comes amid concerns about increasing tourist numbers’ environmental and social impact,
especially during peak seasons like the Lunar New Year.
How Japan is tackling over tourism Japan is stepping up measures to manage tourists Japan is stepping up measures to manage touristsAndre Benz on Unsplash
This isn’t the first time Japan has taken unusual measures to manage visitors. Kawaguchiko has also seen an influx of tourists, all vying for the perfect shot of Mount Fuji. Now,
over disruptive tourist behaviour, with local authorities also distributing informational leaflets and using digital signage in multiple languages to promote respectful travel practices.
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