Kyoto, renowned for its historic landmarks and cultural richness, faces the adverse impacts of overtourism as it grapples with a surge in both domestic and international visitors. In response, the city government has initiated a series of measures to alleviate the strain on residents and the environment.

To combat issues such as public transportation congestion, the city government rolled out enhanced measures last autumn. A key focus of the initiative is mitigating bus congestion by discontinuing the sale of one-day passes for buses and introducing a ¥1,000 (US$7) one-day subway and bus pass where Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus serve.

The goal is to encourage tourists to utilize the subway system and reduce the burden on buses.

Additionally, Kyoto is actively promoting a park-and-ride system to ease traffic congestion around popular tourist attractions.

Social media, particularly the city’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), has been leveraged to reach a broader audience, emphasizing the benefits of public transportation and providing information on accessing tourist spots from parking lots.

In an effort to manage high tourist volumes, the city government implemented increased fees for private vehicle parking in crowded areas like Kiyomizu Temple and the Arashiyama area.

This move aims to encourage tourists to opt for public transportation and alleviate congestion around these popular sites.

Another innovative approach involves promoting “empty-handed tourism” to enhance visitor experiences and reduce bus congestion caused by large bags.

The city government revamped its dedicated website for this initiative, significantly increasing the number of businesses offering temporary baggage storage services. Bus drivers have reported a reduction in passengers carrying large bags, indicating the success of this strategy.

As Kyoto continues its battle against overtourism, city officials emphasize the need for persistent communication of relevant information to ensure the success and sustainability of these measures.