Visitors face immediate fines for making one big mistake in crowded destination
One of Tokyo's most visited districts has begun issuing on-the-spot fines to people caught littering as local officials attempt to address growing overtourism challenges.
As of June 1, people caught improperly disposing of trash in public areas can face an immediate 2,000-yen fine, or roughly $13, under revised rules adopted by Shibuya Ward officials, Japan Today reported.
The move comes as Japan continues to see a sharp increase in tourism following the post-pandemic travel boom.
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Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, Reuters reported.
Shibuya, home to the world-famous Shibuya Crossing, remains one of Tokyo's most popular destinations for international visitors.
The area's daytime population regularly exceeds more than twice its resident population of roughly 240,000 people, according to the Japan outlet.
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As visitor numbers continue to climb, officials said littering is increasingly noticeable around train stations, entertainment districts and other popular tourist areas.
Educational campaigns encouraging people to take their trash home have not been enough to keep pace with growing crowds, officials said.
The district plans to increase the number of patrol officers enforcing the rules and will deploy multilingual staff who speak English, Chinese and Korean.
Officials will also accept both cash and cashless payments for fines.
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"Shibuya is an international city visited by many people in Japan and from around the world," Shibuya Mayor Ken Hasebe said in a statement.
"While that vibrancy is something we take pride in, we must also fulfill our responsibility to protect the urban environment."
"We ask everyone who visits Shibuya, regardless of nationality, to follow the city's rules," he added. "Shibuya will continue to make responsible choices as a city where vibrancy and order coexist."
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The new littering fines are part of a broader effort by Japanese officials to address overtourism issues, as visitor numbers continue to rise.
Fox News Digital previously reported that Japan plans to triple its international tourist tax from 1,000 yen, or about $6, to 3,000 yen, or about $18, per visitor as officials work to balance tourism growth with the quality of life for local residents.
Japanese officials said the goal is not to discourage tourism, but to better manage the impact of record visitor numbers on local communities, infrastructure and public spaces.
Ashley DiMella of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.