Kamakura, Japan, is facing a new kind of siege-not from invading armies, but from an overwhelming influx of tourists drawn by the popularity of the anime series “Slam Dunk.” Officials are turning to artificial intelligence to manage the crowds and address resident concerns.
AI Cameras Monitor ‘Anime pilgrimage’ hotspot
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The coastal city is deploying AI-powered cameras to track congestion, vehicle traffic, and even license plates in areas popular with fans of the anime.
- The city of Kamakura installed 12 AI cameras in mid-December near Kamakura-Koko-mae Station.
- The cameras monitor congestion, track vehicle traffic, and read license plates.
- The project, a Japan Tourism Agency pilot, aims to balance tourism with the quality of life for residents.
- A decline in Chinese tourists visiting the city’s information center was recorded in November.
Some 750 years after the Kamakura Shogunate successfully defended against foreign invasions of the Kyushu region, the ancient capital in Kanagawa Prefecture is grappling with a different challenge: overtourism. The surge in visitors is fueled by “seichi junrei”-literally “pilgrimage to sacred sites”-a phenomenon where fans visit real-world locations featured in anime, manga, and other works of fiction.
What’s driving this sudden influx of tourists to Kamakura? The popularity of the “Slam Dunk” anime is the primary reason. A railway crossing near Kamakura Senior High School, though not depicted in the original manga, bears a striking resemblance to a scene in the TV anime’s opening credits, prompting fans to flock there to recreate the iconic shot.
Addressing Resident Concerns
The city installed 12 AI-driven cameras near the railway crossing in a residential area in mid-December. Five additional cameras were placed at other popular photo spots, including a park and nearby residential streets along the Enoden Line-a roughly 10-kilometer single-track electric railway operated by Enoshima Electric Railway Co. The system is designed to address growing complaints from residents regarding illegal parking,particularly by vans-both unlicensed “shiro-taku” (white taxis) and licensed vehicles with green license plates-and even reports of public defecation on private property.
Officials say the cameras track visitor numbers and congestion levels. Thay also collect data on vehicles believed to be transporting tourists, monitoring traffic patterns and identifying vehicles repeatedly circling the area. images from the cameras are streamed to show congestion at Koshigoe Rakko Park, with faces blurred to protect privacy. The Japan Tourism agency initiated this as a pilot project.
A Shift in Tourism Numbers
On Dec. 9, the city disclosed a notable decrease in Chinese nationals visiting the tourist information center at the east exit of JR Kamakura Station. In November, 688 Chinese nationals visited the center, a 46.8 percent drop from the 1,292 recorded in November 2024. city officials attribute this decline to a Nov. 14 advisory issued by the Chinese goverment, urging citizens to exercise caution when traveling to Japan.
The advisory followed remarks made by prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during a Diet session concerning a Taiwan-related security contingency,which reportedly angered China. in 2024, Chinese nationals were the largest group of foreign visitors to the information center, totaling 23,604, followed by visitors from the United States (10,605), South Korea (6,600), and Taiwan (5,794). The number of Chinese visitors recorded in November 2023 was 768.
The AI camera project will run through February, with a budget of up to 6 million yen ($38,000). Recording will not occur at night. Kamakura has also established a designated photography area at Koshigoe Rakko Park, adjacent to the Kamakura Koko-mae No. 1 railroad crossing, to help manage the crowds.
