オーバーツーリズム
Meaning
Overtourism — the phenomenon of too many tourists overwhelming and degrading a destination.
Borrowed from English, オーバーツーリズム became a hot-button topic in Japan after the post-COVID tourism boom brought record numbers of foreign visitors. Kyoto, Mount Fuji, and other popular spots face issues like overcrowding, noise, littering, and residents being inconvenienced. The term is used in news media and public discourse to discuss the balance between welcoming tourists and preserving local quality of life.
Examples
- 京都はオーバーツーリズムで地元の人が困ってるらしい。 Apparently the locals in Kyoto are struggling because of overtourism.
- オーバーツーリズム対策で入場制限始まったんだって。 I heard they started limiting admission as an overtourism countermeasure.
- 富士山のオーバーツーリズム問題、ニュースで見た？ Did you see the news about the overtourism problem at Mount Fuji?
Usage Guide
Context: news, social media, tourism discussion
Tone: concerned, critical, informational
Do Say
- オーバーツーリズムで住民の生活に影響出てるよね。 (Overtourism is really affecting residents' daily lives.)
- オーバーツーリズム対策として何ができるか考えないと。 (We need to think about what can be done about overtourism.)
Don't Say
- 観光客が少しいるだけで「オーバーツーリズム」は大げさ (Calling a few tourists 'overtourism' is an exaggeration)
Common Mistakes
- Pronouncing it as 'over tourism' with English stress — use flat Japanese katakana pronunciation
- Using it casually for any busy tourist spot — it specifically implies negative impact on the local community
Origin & History
Direct borrowing from English 'overtourism.' Entered Japanese media vocabulary around 2018-2019 and became especially prominent after 2023 when inbound tourism to Japan surged to record levels, straining popular destinations.
Cultural Context
Era: 2018-2019 introduction, mainstream after 2023
Generation: All ages (news vocabulary)
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Kyoto, Kamakura, Shibuya crossing, and Mount Fuji are frequently cited in オーバーツーリズム discussions.
Related Phrases
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