New Tourist bus in Kyoto to combat overtourism.

More overtourism measures in Kyoto: This past weekend, Kyoto has launched a new express bus service to connect Kyoto Station with major tourist destinations. Kyoto has been actively tackling overtourism since international boarders re-opened in 2022, with 3,081,600 tourists visiting this past March, and numbers holding steady, Kyoto, as one of Japan's major tourist destinations, has been feeling the effects more than most.

This new bus route hopes to alleviate overcrowding on existing local bus lines, running to popular spots like Kiyomizu-dera, Ginkaku-ji, and Gion on weekends, national holidays, and during peak holiday periods. Although the fares are higher than the standard bus fee at ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children, visitors have found the service convenient, easier to navigate than the local buses, and less crowded, which is a win-win for both locals and tourists alike.