Kyoto's Tourism Boom: Why Some Visitors Are Leaving Disappointed

Have you ever dreamed of walking through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari or seeing a geisha glide through the streets of Gion? I lived that dream, and it was beautiful – but also overwhelming. Kyoto is breaking records with 62.79 million visitors in 2025, yet not everyone leaves with a smile. The city’s latest survey reveals the ugly side of overtourism, and I want you to understand what’s really happening.

A Record-Breaking Year for Kyoto

Kyoto welcomed 62.79 million people last year, the first time since 1958 that the number has crossed 60 million. International tourists hit a record 12.68 million, up 17% from 2024. Domestic visitors also grew to 50.11 million. But here’s the shocker: around 4 to 5 million people arrive every single month. Imagine your favorite neighborhood packed every day – that’s Kyoto now.

What Tourists Loved (and What They Hated)

97.3% of international visitors said they were satisfied, compared to 90.9% of Japanese tourists. But the cracks are visible. Over 21% of overseas visitors and 47.2% of Japanese tourists admitted something disappointed them. The biggest complaints? I’ll give you three:

• Crowds – the number one enemy.
• Poor manners – from pushing to chasing geishas.
• Weather – boiling summers, freezing winters because of the basin location.

Kyoto can’t control the weather, but the crowds and bad behavior? That’s on us.

The Crowds Are the Problem

Here’s the bitter irony: the visitors who cause the congestion are the same ones who complain about it. The survey shows that the percentage of people who said they would “strongly recommend” Kyoto or “definitely visit again” has been dropping for years. We love Kyoto, but the crowds are killing that love. Even I felt it – standing shoulder to shoulder at Kiyomizu-dera, I wondered if the magic was gone.

A City Fighting Back

Kyoto isn’t sitting still. The city has launched campaigns to spread visitors across different times and places. They ask you to use luggage forwarding services instead of carrying suitcases on buses. They’ve restricted photography and access on certain streets after tourists ran after maiko and geisha. Manners posters and pamphlets are everywhere. But is it enough?

What You Can Do to Help

You can be part of the solution, not the problem. Next time you visit Kyoto:

• Follow local etiquette – no shouting, no shoving, no chasing.
• Use luggage storage or forwarding services – your suitcase doesn’t need a bus seat.
• Explore hidden gems outside the main tourist spots. There are temples just as stunning but empty.

Help make Kyoto enjoyable for everyone, so you’ll want to come back again.

The Bitter Irony of Overtourism

We all want that perfect Instagram shot, but when everyone pushes for the same spot, nobody enjoys it. Kyoto’s beauty is drowning in its own success. I still love this city with all my heart, but next time I go, I’ll visit early in the morning, leave my suitcase at the hotel, and walk the quiet alleys. Will you join me?