Nerves "like paparazzi"

Uproar in geisha district: Kyoto restricts access

A geisha at the Sanja Matsuri Festival in 2017(Bild: AFP)

Because the many tourists in Kyoto's geisha district are repeatedly behaving inappropriately, the city wants to restrict access in future: "We don't want to do this, but we don't know what to do." 

We will ask tourists to stay away from narrow private streets in April or after," said Isokazu Ota from the city council on Thursday, referring to the Gion geisha district.

Holidaymakers "like paparazzi"
Tourist groups in Gion often behave "like paparazzi" when geishas appear in streets that are only one to two meters wide. In 2019, signs had already been put up saying "No photography in private streets" and a fine of 10,000 yen (61.47 euros) had been introduced. In future, signs will prohibit access to the small streets completely.

A geisha plays an instrument called a samisen in Tokyo in 1939.(Bild: AFP)

Neighborhood is "not a theme park"
 Residents have long complained that tourists often behave disrespectfully. In December, the Gion District Council finally called on the city of Kyoto to deal with the problem and emphasized that the district is "not a theme park".

About geishas

In Gion, geishas, Japan's traditional female artists, pursue their centuries-old profession. There is still a widespread misconception that geishas are prostitutes. However, they are highly skilled entertainers who are trained in traditional Japanese dance, make music and entertain their guests with games and stories.

One district council member told Japanese media that someone had pulled the kimono of a "maiko", i.e. a geisha trainee, and that a cigarette butt had been thrown into the neckline of another geisha.

Japan tourism increases sharply - country suffers
Following the end of the coronavirus restrictions, tourism in Japan is booming again. Not only Kyoto's old town, but also other tourist attractions in the country are suffering from a huge rush. This summer, a fee of the equivalent of twelve euros will be introduced for the most popular hiking trail on Mount Fuji in order to limit the number of visitors.