Kyoto’s geisha district bans tourists due to misbehavior

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Kyoto’s geisha district bans tourists—misbehavior and trespassing will come at a 10,000 yen fine

Due to misbehaving tourists, private-property alleys will be closed off in its famous geisha district of Kyoto. Tourists have chasing the professional artists for a photo, sometimes even touching their kimono and wigs. This lack of respect and etiquette has spurred anger through the Geisha district.

Photo by Tianshu Liu on Unsplash

Normally, tourists wander through the quaint streets called Gion. Starting April, there will be private roads shut off to tourists. The alleys will host several restaurants and teahouses, but only be open to geishas, their clients, and residents of that area. Trespassers will receive a 10,000 yen fine (which come to $70 USD).

According to AP News, “The ban covers just several blocks of Gion. The district’s public streets will remain open to tourists, so the area and the rest of Kyoto will still be teeming with visitors, both from Japan and around the world.”

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