Tourists are banned from visiting the geisha district in Japan due to indecent behavior

Local authorities in Kyoto, Japan, have imposed restrictions on visiting alleys and streets where geisha are located. This decision is based on repeated cases of harassment of artists by uninformed tourists.

It is noted that similar cases of tourists trying to photograph or touch geishas without their consent have existed in the country since 2019. This was reported in the News Observer.

It is known that tourists have repeatedly violated the established rules in order to get a photo of a geisha, maiko or teenage geisha studying without their consent and in secluded places without witnesses. Thus, according to the new ban, only local residents, geisha and their clients will be able to visit the geisha district.

The new ban will reportedly be implemented in April during the cherry blossom season, when travelers from all over the world are expected to visit the city.

"I think that foreign tourists waiting for maiko to come out in the alleys of the no-photo areas of Gion know the rules but ignore them. Even if we warn tourists, it's hard to reach them," said Isokazu Ota, a representative of the secretary of the Gion District Council in the South Side.

Earlier, TravelWise reported where in Japan you can admire the cherry blossoms.