Overtourism — Tourism Overcrowding in Korea and Japan
More tourists is better, right? — Resident suffering, environmental damage, and bilateral response comparison
Since post-COVID tourism recovery, both Korea and Japan face serious overtourism. More tourists means economic growth, but residents' lives are destroyed.
The Numbers — Visitor Trends
Total Foreign Tourists
| Year | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 31.9M | 17.5M |
| 2020 | 4.1M (COVID) | 2.5M |
| 2023 | 25.1M | 11.0M |
| 2024 | 36.9M (all-time high) | 16.5M |
Japan receives roughly 2x Korea's tourist volume. The weak yen (¥150/USD in 2022-24) created a "Japan travel at half price" perception worldwide.
Key Destinations (Annual Visitors)
Japan: Kyoto ~8.9M foreign visitors (6.4x its 1.4M population), Niseko ~1.7M (340x its 5,000 population)
Korea: Jeju ~15M total visitors (21x its 700K population), Jeonju Hanok Village ~10M into 0.29km² (14,000x its ~700 residents)
Japan's Overtourism
Kyoto — "The city where residents disappear"
Kyoto is a global overtourism case study.
City buses: So packed with tourists that residents can't commute. Kyoto created tourist-only bus routes and raised rush-hour fares
Geisha alley (Hanamikoji): Tourists grabbing/photographing geisha → photography ban zones, ¥10,000 fine
Residential intrusion: Tourists entering residential areas for photos → private property signs installed
Mt. Fuji — Entry Fee Introduced
2024: ¥2,000 per person entry fee + 4,000 climbers/day limit with gate system. "Bullet climbing" (overnight summit without mountain hut stay) banned.
Hokkaido Niseko
Foreign skier surge (mainly Australian) → local prices rose to Tokyo levels. Locals can't afford ¥1,500 coffee, moving to other towns.
Korea's Overtourism
Myeongdong/Hongdae
Tourist concentration → rent explosion → Korean-frequented shops replaced by exchange shops and tourist stores.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Residential traditional area overrun by tourists — photos in front of homes, noise, trespassing. Seoul installed "residential area" signs.
Jeju Island
~15M annual visitors (20x Jeju's 700K population). Waste processing at limit, traffic jams, environmental destruction. Island entry fee considered but legally stalled.
Key Dilemma
"Can't give up tourism revenue" — shared dilemma. Japan's approach: regulate and price (fees, taxes, limits). Korea: still at "expand infrastructure to accommodate" stage.
Korea-Japan Overtourism Response Comparison
| Response | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Entry fees | Mt. Fuji ¥2,000, Himeji Castle foreign pricing reviewed | Jeju entry tax under review (not implemented) |
| Capacity limits | Mt. Fuji 4,000/day, Kyoto time restrictions | Bukchon time limits discussed |
| Stage | Regulations in effect | Discussion stage |
Key Differences
Japan: Kyoto buses unusable for residents, geisha alley photo ban (¥10,000 fine)
Japan: Mt. Fuji ¥2,000 entry fee + 4,000/day limit (2024~)
Korea: Myeongdong local shops → exchange/tourist shops, Bukchon resident issues
Korea: Jeju 15M/year (20x population), entry tax under review (not implemented)
Dilemma: Can't give up tourism revenue vs destroying resident quality of life