Resolving Overtourism: A Lesson from Japan's Koke-dera Temple

Overtourism is becoming a serious issue. Governments have aimed to increase tourism, but this has put strain on local residents and natural environments. The problem of overtourism is being addressed worldwide, including the introduction of reservation systems in places like Venice. However, Japan has had an answer to this issue since the 1970s, and I'd like to introduce a temple that foresaw this problem.

Kyoto's Saiho-ji Temple, known for its beautiful moss garden designed by the genius landscape architect Muso Soseki, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Since the 1950s, tourism in Kyoto has boomed in Japan, which began to impact the moss at Saiho-ji. This led to the introduction of a reservation system in 1977 that uses postcards for booking.

Visitors must send a postcard with their desired visit date written on it at least two weeks in advance. They receive a postcard in return with their permitted entry date. The entrance fee is relatively high at 3,000 yen, which includes the cost of sutra transcription. Visitors are required to transcribe sutras on the day of their visit before exploring the temple.

This system involves three elements: 1) analog effort, 2) cost, and 3) a taxing activity. Only a select group willing to pay these three costs can visit Saiho-ji, ensuring that disrespectful behavior is nearly non-existent. The space remains tranquil, allowing visitors to appreciate the garden's true beauty in peace.

This cost structure seems ideal for cultural tourist destinations. Simply raising the price would favor the wealthy, and merely introducing effort would not generate tourism revenue for maintenance. Having a taxing activity like sutra transcription acts as a filter, attracting those who are eager to learn rather than idle tourists.

Starting in 2021, they began online reservations upon request, but the online fee is 1,000 yen higher than the postcard system. This demonstrates a well-thought-out cost structure. Furthermore, after the visit, they send emails encouraging visitors to subscribe to their YouTube channel and follow them on social media, creating a path for deeper learning.

This respectful relationship built on mutual exchange is a remarkable success, not only in combating overtourism but also as a model for various fields. While the world is turning toward exclusionary tendencies in the face of globalization, gazing upon the serene moss garden of Saiho-ji, one can't help but feel that there exists a beautiful alternative that transcends the political divide.