KAMAKURA, Apr 26 (News On Japan) –
As Golden Week approaches, the historic metropolis of Kamakura, identified for its scenic views and cultural heritage, is dealing with the perennial problem of over-tourism. This yr, native authorities are initiating an experimental visitors administration scheme encouraging guests to discover town on foot to alleviate congestion.
Kamakura will take a look at pedestrian visitors move from Kamakura Station to main points of interest such because the Great Buddha. This route, sometimes a quick prepare journey, will now be a beneficial 1.7 km stroll, a part of efforts to scale back the pressure on native infrastructure and improve customer expertise.
However, this new initiative has not been universally welcomed. Locals categorical considerations concerning the feasibility of the strolling plan and its potential to exacerbate different points, corresponding to littering and privateness invasion in residential areas. On a typical weekday earlier than Golden Week, corresponding to April 25, the realm close to Kamakura Station already experiences vital foot visitors, elevating questions concerning the influence through the a lot busier vacation interval.
A take a look at stroll carried out by workers on a weekday took 26 minutes, suggesting the practicality of the route underneath regular situations. Yet, residents fear that the inflow of vacationers, significantly these unfamiliar with native norms, would possibly result in issues. Social media feedback from earlier years recount cases the place mobile service was overwhelmed by crowds and views from native trains have been obscured by the sheer variety of guests.
Historical novelist Shogo Imamura, an everyday customer, helps the experiment, noting that he typically prefers strolling to expertise Kamakura totally. He recommends locations like Amakanamijingu Shrine and means that town’s compact nature traditionally led to overcrowding, a characteristic that continues to problem modern-day occasion planning.
The trial, set to run from May 3-4, goals to offer a viable different to crowded trains and promote a extra relaxed exploration of Kamakura’s wealthy historic panorama.
Source: TBS