"Korean Tourists Lack Manners"... Japanese 'Slam Dunk' Filming Location Residents' Complaints

"Garbage Dumping and Public Urination" Tourists Suffer

As the COVID-19 pandemic eases and the number of travelers visiting Japan increases, reports have emerged that locals are suffering from tourism pollution.

Daily Shincho, the online edition of Shukan Shincho (週刊新潮), one of Japan's three major weekly news magazines, reported on the 9th (local time) that Kamakura, a representative tourist destination in Kanagawa Prefecture in the metropolitan area, is pleased with the surge in tourists but is also suffering from side effects.

[Photo by Pixabay]

The crosswalk near Kamakura High School has gained high attention as it appeared in the popular animation "Slam Dunk." It is a place where trains run along the beach, and it is crowded with tourists.

Daily Shincho pointed out, "Among the tourists trying to take pictures without missing the moment when the train passes the crosswalk, many foreign tourists rush across the road," adding, "Some people knock on the windows of cars stopped in front of the crosswalk, seemingly telling them to move quickly because they are obstructing photos."

A woman living in a nearby apartment told the media, "There are many Korean and Chinese tourists, but they lack manners," saying, "They throw PET bottles and food waste anywhere, and some even urinate on the flower beds."

The security guard controlling the crosswalk said, "Even when I blow a whistle and shout 'Don't run' and 'Don't enter the flower beds,' they don't understand what I'm saying."

Daily Shincho also included an interview with a Korean tourist. The tourist said, "I came with a friend who likes 'Slam Dunk,' and since there are only Koreans here, it feels like being in Korea."

It also claimed that Asakusa, where the famous Tokyo temple Sensoji is located, is suffering from tourism pollution.

A cafe operator in Asakusa said, "The number of foreigners has increased, but they don't spend much money. Even when ordering at the store, they don't order as many items as the number of people. Recently, a group of eight Southeast Asian tourists ordered only one dish."

Also, a nearby hotel manager said, "Tourists take supplies. They take shoehorns, shampoo, body wash bottles, etc., but we just accept it as 'it can't be helped.'"