‘Painful to watch’: Crackdown amid chaos, fights at popular tourist spot in Japan

This hugely popular holiday destination is being so overwhelmed by “troublesome” tourists that it has been forced to take action.

A popular town in Japan is so overwhelmed by tourists who are causing “chaos” in the hunt for the perfect photo that it has been forced to take action.

Home to hot springs, Ginzan Onsen is limiting entry to day trippers during the peak winter season to ease the influx of tourists.

It comes as Japan deals with a surge in visitor numbers, partly due to the strength of the Australian dollar against the Japanese yen.

Between January and September in 2024 visitors from Australia totalled a record 637,300, which was an increase of 42 per cent over the same period for the previous record in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).

The country recorded 33 million overseas tourists this year until November, this is higher than the 31.9 million record set throughout the entire 2019.

Approximately 300,000 tourists flock to the Ginzan Onsen annually, which is located in the Yamagata region, about 400 kilometres north of Tokyo.

There have been reports that all isn’t well in the picturesque 300-year-old town, with reports of fights breaking out among tourists as they battle to find the best photo spot.

Arguments over parking spots have also been reported.

Tourists hunt for the perfect photo at Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata, Japan. Picture: iStock

A statement on the onsen’s website said: “The most troublesome thing during the peak tourist season is trouble between customers.

“Many guests became angry (were shouting) over good spots for the purpose of taking pictures, leading to traffic rules being broken, cheating, and making people seek better places and easier ways than others”.

It also noted its regret that its “vague management” had caused issues at the tourist spot.

From January 7, tourists wishing to visit the town after 5pm must purchase a ticket, according to Ginzan Onsen Information Center.

Tourists must have a ticket to visit a local hotel after 8pm or they will be turned away

There has been trouble among visitors. Picture: iStock

Ginzan Onsen stated that since around 2013 it has been trying to determine how many visitors it can handle while keeping all comfortable, “without any problems between customers”.

“Last winter (2023) was painful to watch. It seemed to me that Ginzan Onsen provides visitors with the opportunity to take good photos, but does not provide memorable time such as strolling around the hot spring town or spending a relaxing time.

“Some guests use abusive language that is intolerable, and rescue operations are often carried out in this environment. This happens equally frequently to both Japanese and foreign guests.

“Every time this happens, we feel hurt, and strongly feel that it is not the fault of the guests who make these remarks, but rather that it is our responsibility to have allowed their frustration to build up to this point.

“This kind of thing cannot be allowed to continue.”

It noted that there have been cases where ambulances were unable to gain access.

“In recent years, there have been cases where ambulances could not reach the scene of accidents in hot spring towns,” Ginzan Onsen said.

“This was due to several cars parked on the road, which caused traffic jams.”

Japan is dealing with surging visitor numbers. Picture: iStock

Tickets, including the bus rides, cost 1150 yen ($12), and those driving themselves must park at a tourist centre nearby and use a shuttle bus to access the town.

Hiroyuki Ishii, from the Ginzan Onsen Overtourism Measures Project Office, said drivers often became stuck on snow-covered roads.

This can lead to heavy traffic and blocked roads.

“The area for taking photos is narrow, and sometimes visitors have a dispute with each other telling them to move out of the way. There have been times when people almost fell into the river after bumping into each other,” he told CNN.

Japan has encouraged Australians to visit less frequented spots.

“We strongly encourage Australians to consider lesser-known destinations, as well as look at shoulder travel seasons, such as autumn, as well as Japan’s summer – known locally as the ‘green season’ where the country’s rural and regional areas really come into their own,” JNTO’s Australian office’s executive director Naoki Kitazawa told news.com.au.

“Tokyo, Kyoto, and the Golden Route offer incredible experiences, but there’s so much more to discover beyond the obvious and what’s trending on social media.

“Just like in Australia, the real magic often lies in exploring the hidden gems of cities and popular destinations, where you’ll find the true essence and diversity of the culture.”