Ginzan Onsen, a picturesque hot spring town in northern Yamagata Prefecture, known for its snow-covered traditional buildings and lamplight ambiance, has decided to limit the number of day-trippers. This measure aims to address overtourism issues during the winter season. The town attracts approximately 330,000 visitors annually.
Under the new regulations, visitors wishing to enter between 5 PM and 8 PM must make a reservation, and after 8 PM, only those staying at local hotels will be allowed entry. These steps are taken to alleviate traffic congestion, difficulties for emergency vehicles, and other related issues.
This initiative is part of Japan’s broader efforts to manage overtourism, with other destinations like Kyoto and Mount Fuji also implementing measures to cope with the increasing number of tourists.
