Tourists in Kyoto disrupt railway crossing near Fushimi Inari Taisha.
Overtourism in Kyoto causes dangerous congestion at a train crossing, straining local life and prompting urgent safety concerns.
Overtourism is causing serious chaos in Kyoto, especially near Fushimi Inari Taisha. On January 26, a huge crowd of tourists ignored alarms at a train crossing, putting themselves in danger as poles lowered to warn them of an incoming train. Instead of taking cover, they kept crossing, creating a messy scene. An emergency button was pressed, stopping the train and delaying commuters for about 20 minutes. But don't think this was a one-time thing—locals say this happens regularly.
While Kyoto employs security during peak seasons, they're missing at this time of year, coinciding with a surge in tourists due to Chinese New Year. This congestion problem isn't just with foot traffic; vehicles are also struggling to get through. A simple fix could be clearer signs directing pedestrians, but who knows how that would play out given the crowd sizes. Honestly, the city, the railway, and tour guides should have a serious chat to figure out a solution that works for everyone. It's about time we made safety a priority!
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