"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.