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Kyoto announces hefty fines for tourists snapping geishas
Kyoto’s historic Gion neighbourhood has announced a crackdown on tourists taking photos of its famed Geishas.
It has banned photography on private property, which includes on the district’s private streets and in homes.
Tourists caught snapping away could be fined JPY10,000 ($92).
City residents have become increasingly angry at tourists’ behaviour, especially the harassing of geishas for a photo.
Taking their photos without permission has become the norm while some geishas have been chased down the street for selfies and in a few cases tourists reportedly entered private homes without permission.
Kyoto has been struggling with tourist overcrowding for some time and has previously sought to educate visitors in being more respectful to Japanese culture.
The city published an English-language etiquette guide two years ago to stem anti-social behaviour with a list of rules to abide by when visiting the city.
These included not riding a bicycle while drunk and smoking in public areas.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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