A stunning city in Asia that draws in tens of millions of tourists every year has become so fed up with visitors that it made the bold move to close off some of its streets.
Gion, the famed geisha district in Kyoto, Japan, has imposed restrictions on tourists entering certain alleys.
The traditional geishas have become a major tourist attraction in Japan’s former capital, much to the annoyance of the residents.
In an attempt to curb the influx of “geisha paparazzi”, the Gion local council earlier this year voted to close off many side streets and alleys, although main roads will remain open to the public.
The Gion district council, made up of local residents, has urged Kyoto City to address the issue, stating that their neighbourhood “is not a theme park”.
While Gion’s private streets will be closed, tourists will still be permitted to enter the main Hanamikoji Street, which is public. This ban comes after several incidents of tourists misbehaving in Gion.
Isokazu Ota, an executive member of the Gion district council, told AFP that tourists have not been allowed to enter specified streets from April 2024 onward.
“We don’t want to do this, but we’re desperate,” Ota said, adding that tourists had previously acted “like paparazzi” when taking photos of geishas.
Gion, renowned for its traditional teahouses or “ochaya”, is home to around 70 geishas and 30 maiko (apprentice geishas) who entertain guests across 60 ochaya.
The district has faced issues with tourists for years, as highlighted by a 2018 questionnaire from the district council.
One resident reported that a group of tourists had surrounded a taxi carrying a geisha, while another claimed a tourist had damaged a lantern outside their restaurant.
In response, in October 2019, the council prohibited tourists from photographing geishas on private roads, imposing a fine of 10,000 yen (£50). Warning signs were also put up, advising tourists not to touch the Japanese lanterns in the alleyways.
For those keen to delve deeper into geisha culture, local organisations such as the Gion Kagai Art Museum, opened in 2024, offer exhibits about geishas, daily performances, and opportunities to take pictures with geishas and maikos.
