The Kyoto Shimbun
  • Home
  • Kyoto
  • News
  • "Fine up to 10,000 Yen Without Photo Permit"
    Measures Against Troublesome Tourists in Gion, Kyoto

    18 November 2019 - Kyoto//Sightseeing/Events

    A notice board announces the photography prohibition on private roads to tourists. Additional sentences explain the stricter measures by stating, "Fine up to 10,000 yen without photo permit" (Hanamikoji-dori Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto)

    A notice board announces the photography prohibition on private roads to tourists. Additional sentences explain the stricter measures by stating, "Fine up to 10,000 yen without photo permit" (Hanamikoji-dori Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto)

    "Fine up to 10,000 yen without photo permit." The local council has decided to prohibit taking photos without permission on private roads in the southern district of Gion-Machi in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, where visitors from Japan and abroad concentrate and troublesome behavior has become a problem. While not legally binding, the implication of a "fine" is included. A notice board clearly stating "People who disobey the rule will be charged money" was posted for the first time on October 25. The board is about two meters in height. A red diagonal line is drawn on pictorial symbols of a camera and a smartphone, urging people to refrain from using such devices. In addition, sentences are written in Japanese, English and Chinese stating, "No photography on private road," and "Fine up to 10,000 yen without photo permit."

    Since 2016, Gion-Machi South District Council has posted notice boards using to pictorial symbols to convey the prohibitions against taking photographs or touching Geiko and Maiko within the area where "Ochaya," or teahouses, and other buildings are lined up. As this did not put an end to the nuisance behavior, the content was made stricter by adding a fine. Hanamikoji-dori Street in this area is not covered due to it being a public road.

    From here on, the notice boards in eight locations will be changed sequentially. The council bemoaned the situation, stating, "We truly do not want to do that as it also harms the city's atmosphere, but we've reached the limit. We want these notice boards to be unnecessary in Gion-Machi."

    That day, members of the council and approximately 60 students of Kyoto Women's University and Ryukoku University who are involved in community development conducted activities targeting improved manners and passed out stickers to visitors to raise awareness.

    (Translated by Mie Hiuzon, Psyche et l’Amour, Inc.)
  • Also in Kyoto//Sightseeing/Events:

    Japan's Kyoto University to host Ukrainian students affected by war
    13 April 2022

    Professor Shinya Yamanaka

    Prof. Yamanaka to Retire as Director of Kyoto University's CiRA Next Spring To "Focus on His Research"
    22 February 2022

    Hometown Hamburger Sales
    Food Truck Opens after One Shop's Pandemic Closure
    3 January 2022

    Glowing Noctilucae turn seaside town more scenic north of Kyoto
    26 May 2021

    New Year Buddhist ritual held in Kyoto amid pandemic
    28 January 2021

News Archive
  • April 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • May 2021
  • January 2021
  • August 2020
  • More...
Categories
  • Sightseeing/Events
  • Temples/Shrines
  • Tradition/Culture
  • Local topics
  • Education/University
  • Business/Company
  • Traffic
  • Gourmet
  • 1min Kyoto
  • Kyoto
  • Shiga
Web site
Introducing Privacy Policy Japanese Site
Copyright © 1995-2022 The Kyoto Shimbun Co., Ltd. All rights reserved.
We use cookies for a number of reasons, such as keeping our websites reliable and secure, providing social media features and to analyze the performance of ads. Accept & continue Read More
Privacy Policy