Staff at the Tokusawaen mountain lodge discovered large amounts of litter bearing Korean labels at the Kamikochi trekking spot in Nagano Prefecture.
The discovery highlights growing tensions over tourist behavior as Japan manages a surge in international visitors to its sensitive natural landmarks.
Workers at the lodge reported that a significant portion of the waste found during the summer season featured Hangul labels [1, 2]. This included the discovery of a waste bag measuring 20 liters [1]. The prevalence of these labels has caused distress among the local staff responsible for maintaining the area's cleanliness.
"Most of the trash had Korean labels on it this time," a representative of the Tokusawaen mountain lodge said [1, 2].
The increase in litter coincides with a rise in foot traffic to the region. Approximately 1.66 million visitors traveled to Kamikochi last year [1]. While the site is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts, the volume of waste has become a point of contention for those operating facilities on the ground.
Staff members expressed emotional fatigue regarding the constant need to clean up after tourists. "I feel truly sad every time I collect the trash," the lodge representative said [1, 2].
The lodge representative emphasized that the area is a shared resource that requires collective protection. "Kamikochi is not a place for just one person, but a precious nature that everyone must protect," the representative said [1, 2].
Local authorities and lodge operators continue to monitor the impact of tourism on the environment. The incident has sparked discussions regarding the need for better waste management, and tourist education to prevent further degradation of the Nagano highlands.
“"Most of the trash had Korean labels on it this time,"”
The incident reflects the broader challenge of 'overtourism' in Japan, where high visitor volumes at rural landmarks often outpace local waste infrastructure and environmental enforcement. The specific identification of Korean-labeled trash may exacerbate nationalist sentiments or lead to stricter regulations for international tourists in protected alpine zones.
