There is a fine line between using one's culture and traditions to promote tourism and having those same cultures and traditions destroyed through overexposure and abuse by childish tourists.
Take Kyoto, for example, where 'paparazzi' tourists were so disruptive, rude and harassing 'internationally recognized Japanese female artists' that local officials finally decided to block access to the world-famous Geisha district.
The ban will begin in April.
The historic Gion district prohibits visitors and tourists from entering the alleys and streets where geisha and maiko (teenage trainee geisha) are located.
Independent reporting:
“Gion, known as a popular tourist destination, is crowded with hundreds of thousands of people visiting Kyoto to take pictures of Japan's famous professional entertainers, known for their trademark kimonos and white faces.
Isokazu Ota, secretary representing the Gion City South District Council, said this. [media] It is said that the small alley will be completely closed to tourists until next month as the threat from tourists grows.
According to a report in the South China Morning Post, starting in April, the alley, home to several restaurants and teahouses, will be open only to geishas, customers and local residents.”
Since 2019, local authorities have imposed fines on tourists who harass geishas. This is because geishas chased people through private streets in the area, taking pictures and touching them without their consent.
Over the centuries, their role was often seen as involving sexual relationships, but since prostitution is illegal in Japan and geisha are deeply respected cultural performers, modern geisha are said to not sleep with their clients.
“The problem continues today as many tourists flock to Japan following the COVID-19 pandemic, with little respect for Japanese social norms and etiquette,” Ota said.
'I think foreign tourists are waiting. [teenager] Maikos in Gion's no-photo-taking alleys know the rules, but they ignore them. “Even if we warn tourists, communication is difficult at this point,” he said.
Peter Macintosh, a Canadian writer and expert on geisha culture based in Kyoto, said: [media]: 'This is crazy. “It’s completely out of control.”
Now that the area has been sealed off, hopefully the geishas and maiko will be safe and millennia of Japanese art will be protected.
Learn more about toxic tourism.
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