KYOTO (TR) – A wave of vandalism by international vacationers is plaguing Japan’s iconic sightseeing spots, with guests caught utilizing stones to carve graffiti into historic bamboo forests, studies TV Asahi (May 22).
Recent video footage taken on May 16 at Kyoto City’s famend Fushimi Inari Taisha captured people, believed to be international vacationers, scratching characters into the bamboo.
“They were using stones to graffiti the bamboo,” the one that filmed the incident reported.
Established within the Nara interval, the historic shrine is a large draw for worldwide guests. However, the post-COVID pandemic tourism growth has introduced a surge of damaging habits, with over 100 bamboo stalks within the shrine’s surrounding forest already scarred by carved vandalism.
“It’s truly sad that such a beautiful bamboo forest is being left so dirty,” an area Kyoto resident lamented.
Not solely Kyoto
The vandalism is just not restricted to Japan’s historical capital. At one other in style vacationer vacation spot — extremely favored by foreigners for its picturesque, mixed views of Mount Fuji and inexperienced tea plantations — bamboo groves have additionally fallen sufferer to defacement.
Observers report a considerable amount of English graffiti, together with phrases like “I Love You,” carved into the stalks. Other markings embody Korean hangul script, with one carving bizarrely dated “April 14, 2026.”
As the harm continues to unfold throughout a number of areas, Fushimi Inari Taisha has issued a direct warning to unruly sightseers.
“Acts such as graffiti on the shrine grounds are strictly prohibited,” a shrine consultant said. “We ask that visitors observe proper manners when paying their respects.”