In the quiet coastal town of Kamakura, Japan, the rhythm of daily life has long been dictated by the chime of railroad crossings and the steady flow of pilgrims visiting ancient temples. But for the residents of the Kokurakuji area, that rhythm has been replaced by the chaotic energy of global fandom. The town, already struggling under the weight of “overtourism,” is now facing a novel surge of visitors drawn by the filming locations of a high-profile South Korean drama.
The production, starring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, has transformed serene neighborhoods into open-air sets for thousands of tourists. While the drama’s ambitious scale took the production to Italy and Canada, This proves the scenes captured in the narrow streets of Kamakura that are causing the most local friction. This influx of K-drama enthusiasts has collided with an existing pilgrimage site for fans of the iconic manga and anime Slam Dunk, pushing the community to a breaking point.
Local residents have begun voicing their frustrations, describing a quality of life that has deteriorated as their homes are treated as backdrops for social media content. The tension highlights a growing global conflict between the economic benefits of “screen tourism” and the fundamental right of residents to live in peace.
The Collision of Two Fandoms
Kamakura is no stranger to the pressures of fame. For years, the city has managed a steady stream of visitors to the famous railroad crossing in the vicinity of Kokurakuji, a site that has become a “holy land” for fans of Slam Dunk. The image of a student standing before the sea at a crossing is one of the most replicated photographs in East Asian travel.
Though, the arrival of the K-drama filming crew and the subsequent wave of fans have amplified the congestion. Unlike the relatively predictable flow of anime fans, the “Hallyu” (Korean Wave) effect often brings rapid, intense spikes in visitation. Tourists seeking to recreate scenes featuring Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung frequently venture off main paths and into residential alleys, leading to reports of trespassing and noise complaints.
The strain is not merely emotional but logistical. The narrow roads of Kamakura were not designed for the volume of tour buses and pedestrian crowds currently descending on the Kokurakuji area. This congestion often hinders emergency vehicle access and disrupts the daily commutes of locals, leading to an atmosphere of mounting resentment.
A Global Production with Local Consequences
The drama’s production design aimed for an international aesthetic, utilizing diverse landscapes to tell its story. By filming in multiple countries, the production sought to create a visually expansive narrative.
| Location | Role in Production | Tourism Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Kamakura, Japan | Atmospheric local settings | High resident friction/Overtourism |
| Italy | European architectural backdrop | Managed tourist flow |
| Canada | Natural landscapes | Minimal local disruption |
While the shoots in Italy and Canada integrated more seamlessly into existing tourist hubs, the choice of Kokurakuji—a place that balances religious significance with residential living—created a volatility that the local infrastructure could not absorb. The intersection of a religious site, a manga landmark and a modern K-drama set has created a “perfect storm” of foot traffic.
The Human Cost of Screen Tourism
For the people living in the shadow of these landmarks, the romanticism of the screen does not translate to reality. Residents have reported instances of visitors blocking driveways, littering in residential gardens, and ignoring signs requesting silence near temple grounds. The phrase “I can’t live like this” has become a common refrain among elderly residents who once enjoyed the town’s tranquility.
This phenomenon is part of a broader trend across Japan. From the streets of Kyoto to the forests of Hakone, the country is grappling with how to welcome international visitors without erasing the local culture that attracted them in the first place. The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has increasingly emphasized “sustainable tourism” to combat these issues, yet the rapid viral nature of K-drama locations often outpaces official management strategies.
The conflict in Kamakura underscores a critical gap in production planning. When a series gains massive popularity, the “pilgrimage” effect is almost instantaneous. Without coordinated efforts between production companies and local municipalities to manage crowd flow, the burden of success falls entirely on the local taxpayers, and residents.
Seeking a Sustainable Balance
City officials in Kamakura have attempted to mitigate the chaos by deploying more staff to manage traffic at the Slam Dunk crossing and urging visitors to respect residential privacy. However, as long as the drama remains a trending topic, the draw of the filming locations remains potent.
Experts in urban planning suggest that the only long-term solution is a shift toward “decentralized tourism,” encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known parts of the city rather than clustering around a few viral spots. This would require a concerted effort from travel agencies and the production houses themselves to promote a broader range of locations.
The situation in Kamakura serves as a cautionary tale for the entertainment industry. While the beauty of a location can elevate a story, the lack of a sustainability plan can devastate a community. The goal for the future is to move toward a model where the “magic of the screen” does not come at the expense of the people who actually live in those scenes.
Local authorities are expected to review new zoning and crowd-control ordinances in the coming months to better protect residential areas from the volatility of viral tourism. The city’s next official tourism management update is scheduled for the next quarterly municipal review.
We desire to hear your thoughts on the balance between tourism and local privacy. Share your experiences in the comments below.
