As the tourist flow to Japan increases, locals are complaining about the manners and lack of culture of foreign visitors, The Telegraph reports.
Residents of Japan are increasingly expressing their frustration with the emergence of a large number of loud and disrespectful related to Japanese etiquette for foreigners. In some cities, including Kyoto and Kamakura, the problem has become so severe that locals have been forced to complain to authorities about what they call "tourist filth."
In most cases, Japanese people are unhappy with the overloaded public transport near famous city attractions. Residents also complain that tourists are not aware of the rules for separate waste collection. In addition, many scold landlords who rent out their apartments to foreign guests.
The city government says it is aware of the problems and is already taking steps to reduce friction between locals and tourists. According to Shuhei Akahoshi, head of the Kyoto City Tourism Department, the increase in tourists has certainly affected the daily lives of citizens. But the department has launched several advertising campaigns to teach tourists how to behave properly.
Japan's tourism agency is planning to reward tourists who venture off the "Golden Route" linking Tokyo with Kyoto and Osaka to explore more remote areas of the country. It is also developing a system of bonuses for visitors who visit the country outside of peak season or visit during less popular hours.
More than 20 million foreign tourists visited Japan in the first eight months of 2018. The annual total is expected to exceed 30 million people. By comparison, last year the figure reached 28.7 million.
To avoid unpleasant situations in Japan, tourists should follow some rules. For example, people do not shake hands in the country. Any acquaintance begins with a bow. During a conversation, do not look into the eyes all the time, this can be regarded as aggression. In the country, people do not give up their seat on public transport, even to elderly people. Also, in Japan, people do not blow their nose in public. When visiting Japanese temples, you should take off your shoes and not make noise. You can use cameras in holy places only with the permission of the priests.
Source: news.turizm.ru