Japan is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and in 2023 around 25 million people travelled to the country.

The influx of visitors has brought some issues with it and officials are set to charge tourists 2,000 yen (£10.50) to climb Mount Fuji after overcrowding.

Kyoto, one of the world’s most overcrowded destinations, is now set to ban tourists from entering Gion, its popular geisha district.

Geishas are traditional Japanese hostesses who are trained to entertain with singing and dancing.

Gion, the city’s historic geisha district, is often crowded with tourists who try to take photos of the geishas on their way to work.

It has been reported that some visitors have even touched the geisha’s gowns as they walk past.

A council of residents urged the Government to take action in December, stating that “Kyoto is not a theme park”.

A local district official has said that the city will put up signs in April warning tourists to “stay out of our private streets”.

Anyone caught breaching the ban will be fined 10,000 yen (£52.88) under the new rules. Tourists will still be able to explore Kyoto’s public streets.

Isokazu Ota, a member of the local council, said: “We don’t want to do this, but we’re desperate.”

Tourists can already be fined for taking photographs of the geishas but the ban has failed to stop some visitors.

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