Kyoto’s Geisha District Says ‘No More Tourists’

By: Beth Moreton | Published: Apr 05, 2024

Japan’s geisha district has been a popular tourist spot for many years and hosts many visitors from all over the world.

But that may be no longer the case, as Japanese officials have started putting up signs banning tourists from certain areas of the geisha district.

The Geisha District Is in Kyoto, Japan

The famous Japanese geisha district is based in the ancient capital of Kyoto.

A street in Kyoto, Japan. There are two women in floral kimonos standing in the middle of the street. There are buildings on either side of the street, with a tall building that has been lit up in the background.

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Japan Guide states that while the area has plenty of shops, restaurants, and teahouses, it is most known for its performances by geishas.

Geishas Became Popular in the 18th Century

Kyoto may be one of Japan’s ancient cities, but geishas didn’t appear until the 18th century.

An 18th-century print of a geisha. The geisha is in a kimono and is holding pieces of paper.

Source: Rijksmuseum/Wikimedia Commons

Male geishas were the first to come into existence, with female geishas following suit 20 years later. Toki explains that the geishas were originally assistants to the Oiran, high-class, and all of the expensive Japanese courtesans.

Japan Has Seen a Rise in Tourists

The COVID-19 pandemic put a stop to domestic and international travel, but the years after meant that more people were keen to see the world.

Tourists in Japan. There are crowds of tourists walking down a street. Trees with golden leaves are on either side of the street, with there being a high-rise building at the end of the street.

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The Guardian reported that Japan had seen a dramatic increase in the number of tourists they were receiving — a stunning 25.8 million. But with that came many anti-social behaviors, such as littering.

Tourists Have Been Inappropriate Toward Geisha

Some tourists have been banned from the geisha district due to exhibiting inappropriate behaviors toward geisha.

A tourist in an orange coat standing looking at his phone. Standing in front of him are three geishas, one in a blue kimono, one in a pink kimono, and one in a yellow kimono.

Source: South China Morning Post/YouTube

According to The Guardian, some tourists have reportedly been getting up close and personal with the geisha by touching their kimonos and even trespassing on private property.

The Geisha District Is Not a Theme Park

Sky News has reported that the local council has warned tourists that they shouldn’t be treating the geisha district like a theme park.

The geisha district. There are four geishas in floral kimonos standing at the foot of some steps. Some people are walking down the steps.

Source: Ryutaro Tsukata/Pexels

This comes down to tourists believing they can enter any area of the district, which has resulted in locals and geishas being treated inappropriately and feeling uncomfortable in their own homes.

Tourists Will Be Blocked from the Geisha District in April 2024

According to The Los Angeles Times, the ban on tourists from some areas of the geisha district will take effect in April 2024.

Tourists walking down a street in the geisha district. Some geishas are in front of them wearing floral kimonos.

Source: Graham Powell-Wood/Unsplash

This ban is coming into effect due to poor behavior by tourists, with locals complaining that they are taking over areas that they feel tourists shouldn’t be allowed to enter.

Tourists Will Be Fined 10,000 Yen

If tourists fail to comply with the signs, which state tourists aren’t allowed to enter certain areas, they will be fined.

A black, white, and red wallet on a table on top of some fanned-out 10,000 Yen notes.

Source: Jun Rong Yoo/Unsplash

The fine will be 10,000 yen, which equates to $70, and will be applied to anyone who happens to wander down any private roads that state “no entry.”

Tourists Can Still Access the Main Streets

Despite not being able to access the private streets of Kyoto, they will still be able to access the main streets.

Tourists in Japan. They are in groups standing on some steps in front of an orange building

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This means that tourists will still be able to visit the geisha district, but will just have to keep out of a few private areas.

Previous Efforts Have Not Worked

These new measures, which will take effect in April 2024, follow previous efforts by the Kyoto government to prevent tourists from exhibiting anti-social behaviors.

A man and woman walking down a street in the geisha district. The woman is wearing a yellow kimono and the man is wearing a grey coat. The street has some snow on it.

Source: pen_ash/Unsplash

This included fining those who were taking photos of geishas and private areas without consent; however, according to Time Out, this hasn’t stopped tourists from causing a disturbance.

Overtourism Is Being Fought in Other Ways

Due to the significant increase in tourists entering Japan, the government has implemented other measures to try to combat this.

A crowd of people standing at a bus stop. Some people are sitting in the bus shelter.

Source: Fons Heijnsbroek/Unsplash

This includes putting a stop to the bus one-day pass, which provided cheap travel. However, Time Out has reported that it has led to excessive queues at bus stops, which prevents locals from getting to and from work.

The Signs Might Be Confusing

The signs will be in both Japanese and English, but many might find the wording confusing.

A white sign with a red circle that says “DO NOT ENTER” in white writing. There is a straight white line in the middle of a circle with a black figure inside.

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Euronews Travel has reported that signs will say, “This is a private road, so you are not allowed to drive through it.” However, when they say “drive,” it is aimed at pedestrians, as the wording actually means “pass through.”