Overtourism in Japan: Kamakura offers ways to manage crowds

Bicycle sharing program catches on as congestion hits visitors and locals alike

Tourists and Residents Bike Kamakura 2024-10

Tourists use a bicycle sharing service to get around the history-rich city of Kamakura, located south of Tokyo. (Photo by Tokuyuki Matsubuchi)

MAMI OSADA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The number of overseas visitors to Japan is projected to reach an all-time high of 35 million in 2024. Though benefiting from spending by inbound tourists, Japan is facing acute overtourism challenges, such as traffic congestion, especially at major destinations.

While various attempts are being taken across the country to balance tourism and the daily lives of residents, helpful tips on how to achieve this might be found in a bicycle sharing program in Kamakura, a historical city south of Tokyo.

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