Shopkeepers near major attractions in Kyoto shared their observations of decreasing visitor traffic with local newspaper Kyoto Shimbun, Casey Baseelfor Tokyo-based news site SoraNews24. "This is the most dramatic drop in traveler traffic I've seen [in over 30 years]," a shopkeeper near Kiyomizudera temple told Kyoto Shimbun. Another, who works near Fushimi Inari Taisha Shinto shrine, said that while 200 tour buses usually come in per day, "now it's just a few.
In response, local shopkeepers have created an "empty tourism" campaign, enticing visitors with images of uncrowded attractions, Emiko JozukaJozuka identified the photos and translated the captions. "It's been a while since there were more monkeys than humans," one image reads. Another shows tourist-favorited Togetsukyo Bridge without visitors. Accompanying the image of the bamboo grove are the hashtags "#nopeople" and "#nowisthetime."
Sightseers enjoy autumn colors from Togetsukyo Bridge in Arashiyama. The bridge is also a popular destination for viewing spring cherry blossoms.Tourism-dependent Asian countries are feeling the effect of China's travel restrictions