The Japanese government urges tourists not to go to Tokyo and Kyoto.

The Japan Tourism Board has urged tourists from Australia to replace Tokyo and Kyoto with other less popular cities. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, the number of Australian visitors in 2024 exceeded the previous record of 2019 and reached 807.8 thousand people. The most attractive destinations for them are Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. However, they are now encouraged to choose lesser-known places, including the rural areas of Tohoku and Kanazawa.

"We strongly recommend Australians to consider lesser-known destinations. Responsible travel is now more important than ever, especially in popular places where the impact of tourism can pressure local communities," said Naoki Kitazawa, executive director of the Japan National Tourism Organization office in Sydney.

Even Judy Laxton, head of the travel agency Japan Holidays, agrees with this approach: "Terrible numbers. When there are so many people, there is no peace, so many of our tours now offer all the wonderful experiences, but we try to avoid the most popular tourist spots."

In the fall of 2023, a plan was developed to combat overtourism in Japan, which involved distributing tourists to less popular areas. However, hundreds of thousands of tourists from Australia continue to arrive in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Earlier, the resort town of Ginzankai Onsen in Japan, known for its hot springs and picturesque snowy landscapes, began experimental one-day tourism restrictions to combat overcrowding during the winter season.