The popular Northern Japanese town Ginzan Onsen began limiting entry to day-trippers on Monday, 23rd December, to mitigate overtourism to the area.

Under the ban’s stipulations, only those staying at local hotels are allowed to enter the town after 8pm, while those seeking to visit between 5pm and 8pm will need a reservation.

This measure involving limited access is currently on a trial basis in a town whose hot springs and traditional baths draw in about 330,000 tourists a year.

Frustrating circumstances

Locals expressed their frustration over road incidents, public squabbles, and other nuisances caused by unruly behaviour on the part of foreign tourists.

In one case, heavy traffic halted an ambulance run, prompting emergency medical team (EMT) members to run on foot in order to save a patient’s life.

Until the end of February, day-trippers will be asked to park at a tourism center, two kilometers away and pay for a shuttle bus.

A calculated decision

Local authorities stated that the trial was launched following years of debate, but was spurred by several recent critical events.

According to Takayuki Saito, municipal head of commerce and tourism: “Traffic jams have sometimes been caused by cars getting stuck in the snow, because travelers were driving with normal tyres instead of with snow tyres. We’ve also heard of cases of emergency vehicles not being able to reach Ginzan Onsen due to congestion.”

Saito added that driving in the area can be dangerous with poor visibility in snowstorms throughout the winter months.

Nevertheless, local authorities hope to maintain a good relationship with visitors to the region.