Jino Asano

Jun 9, 2024 | asia.nikkei.com | Jino Asano

KYOTO -- Kyoto's famed Gion district is struggling to balance its centuries-old way of life against the pressure to welcome ever-greater numbers of foreign tourists, some of whose misbehavior has residents pushing back. Yasaka Shrine, which is one of the city's most famous religious sanctuaries and whose main hall is designated a National Treasure, has had to tie up prayer bell cords to keep tourists from yanking on them at night.

Feb 21, 2024 | asia.nikkei.com | Rei Kobayashi |Reo Naito |Jino Asano

TOKYO -- With Japan set to allow ride-hailing services on a limited basis from April, the country is cracking down on unauthorized operators who target foreign visitors accustomed to services like Uber. Around 9 a.m. on Feb. 8, a van with a white license plate pulled up in front of Terminal 3 at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. A family got out and headed to the lobby with suitcases in hand.