Kyoto bans tourists from parts of geisha district amid reports of bad behaviour

A geisha in Gion, Kyoto. The Japanese city has banned tourists from entering the district’s alleyways after reports too many have hassled geishas. Photograph: Fabio Sabatini/Getty Images

Visitors to the geisha district of Gion – one of Kyoto’s most popular sightseeing spots – will be banned from entering its picturesque alleyways as authorities in Japan attempt to tackle a dramatic rise in tourism.

Residents of Japan’s ancient capital have struggled to reconcile the financial boost from a return to pre-pandemic visitor numbers with overcrowding and incidents of bad behaviour among tourists.