When traveling to Japan, a key experience can be an onsen. The country has thousands of hot springs with traditional inns and bathing facilities located on them. More than 3,000 such inns exist across the country, with the practice remaining a big part of Japanese culture. The roots of onsen bathing can be traced back at least 1,300 years, if not longer. While they do still play a religious role, the onsen experience has become more about socializing at this point.
For tourists, going to a traditional onsen is often a major part of the itinerary. Because it plays such a pivotal part in the religion, culture, and history of Japan, taking part in the experience only makes sense. Being that the onsen are founded by natural hot springs, it's not surprising that they are frequently located in some of the most picturesque spots in Japan. The downside is that the most popular ones are being overrun by tourists looking for the perfect Instagram shot.
Located a few hours drive north from Tokyo, Ginzan Onsen is incredibly popular with tourists. The combination of snow covered everything and Edo-period architecture is legendary. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit each year, with those numbers increasing in 2024 with Japan's overall tourism numbers. This has led to several issues in the town, such as massive traffic problems, tourists fighting over photo spots, and even destruction of property and the environment.
To combat these issues, the government is instituting new rules starting January 7, 2025. Any tourists wanting to enter the town after 5:00 PM will have to buy a ticket. Visitors who do not have a booking at a local hotel will be banned from the town after 8:00 PM. These efforts will minimize issues with tourists who cannot seem to respect local rules and culture as well as giving some semblance of peace back to the town's residents.