The once-picturesque town of Otaru, Japan, has descended into tourism chaos, with reckless foreign visitors ignoring safety laws, causing disruptions, security crackdowns, and public outrage. The tipping point? The shocking death of a 61-year-old Hong Kong woman, who was hit by a speeding train while posing for photos on the tracks at Asari Station.
This grisly accident on January 24 has sparked an international firestorm, forcing Otaru City Hall to take extreme measures to curb out-of-control tourist behavior. But officials warn that the crisis began long before this tragedy, with hordes of careless tourists flooding the town, trampling over safety rules and local customs.
Otaru’s Visitor Surge: From Idyllic Getaway to Tourist Mayhem
Otaru, a seaside gem in Hokkaido, has witnessed an unprecedented invasion of tourists, smashing records with 98,678 overnight international visitors in 2023—the highest in history. This does not even count the tens of thousands of daily-trippers pouring in from nearby Sapporo.
The town, known for its snow-draped landscapes and quaint wooden homes, became a viral sensation, largely due to its role in Shunji Iwai’s romantic film ‘Love Letter’. The movie’s nostalgic charm has attracted obsessed fans, eager to recreate the iconic scenes at filming locations like Funamizaka and Tenguyama Mountain.
But the obsession has turned dangerous and disruptive. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Red Note) have been flooded with tutorials, guiding travelers on how to capture perfectly framed shots, often ignoring safety rules in the process.
Tourists Behaving Badly: A City Under Siege
Otaru’s residents and officials are at their breaking point. Complaints have skyrocketed, with locals reporting blocked roads, excessive littering, and blatant disregard for safety regulations.
Among the worst offenders are selfie-obsessed tourists, trespassing on dangerous railway tracks and private property to chase the perfect shot. Even after the fatal train accident, some tourists have continued posing on the tracks, proving that reckless behavior knows no bounds.
The Government Strikes Back: Japan’s Crackdown on Tourist Mayhem
Fearing another disaster, Otaru City Hall has deployed security guards to the busiest tourist hotspots, including Funamizaka, where crowds have overwhelmed the area. Armed with warning banners, guards now patrol the streets, issuing stern warnings in English, Chinese, and Korean to offenders.
Local police forces have also been mobilized, stepping in to control crowds during peak tourist hours. Offenders caught littering or obstructing roads now face on-the-spot fines, a move aimed at reining in the chaos.
Chinese Tourists Under Scrutiny: Lunar New Year Travel Frenzy Intensifies Concerns
The crackdown comes at a critical moment, just as millions of Chinese tourists embark on Lunar New Year travel sprees. Social media posts suggest Otaru remains a prime destination, despite rising tensions over tourist behavior.
Posts on Xiaohongshu reveal eager travelers still discussing the best ways to stage ‘Love Letter’-inspired photoshoots, seemingly unfazed by recent security measures. One user captioned a post, “Because of your letter, I came to Otaru,” referencing the film’s plot while detailing tips to get the best angle at Funamizaka.
While Otaru officials insist the crackdown is not targeting Chinese tourists specifically, the overwhelming number of visitors from China has complicated crowd control efforts.
The Future of Tourism in Otaru: Crisis or Opportunity?
As Otaru’s security measures remain in effect until at least March 31, officials now grapple with long-term solutions. The challenge? Striking a balance between tourism revenue and preserving local order.
Some locals call for stricter regulations, including tourist caps, permits for photo-taking in certain areas, and increased police patrols. Others fear an economic backlash, arguing that heavy-handed measures could drive away valuable tourism dollars.
Japan’s national government is also monitoring Otaru’s situation closely, as the country struggles with similar issues in other tourist-heavy regions, such as Kyoto and Mount Fuji.
For now, Otaru remains a powder keg of tensions, as the town’s picturesque charm collides with the realities of modern mass tourism. Whether this crisis leads to lasting reforms or fizzles out after peak season remains to be seen.
The post Tourism Nightmare in Otaru: The Dark Side of Japan’s Visitor Boom appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
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