"How Embarrassing... No Wonder Koreans Are Criticized": Korean-Labeled Trash Found at Famous Japanese Tourist Site Shocks Locals

A Heaping Pile of Trash with Korean Labels Found at Kamikochi, Japan
Lodge Management States, "It Truly Saddens Us Every Time We Collect This Waste"

There is growing controversy after a large amount of trash labeled in Korean was discovered in Kamikochi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, a renowned trekking destination in Japan. The local mountain lodge has appealed to visitors to protect the environment, citing a rise in illegal dumping alongside the increase in tourists.

The mountain lodge "Tokusawaen" in Kamikochi recently stated on its official social media channels, "With the start of the summer hiking season, we are welcoming many guests, but illegal dumping of garbage has also become conspicuously frequent."

In the photo released by the lodge, a 20-liter garbage bag from Ansan City, Gyeonggi Province was seen. Inside the bag, paper, plastic, cans, and bottles were all mixed together without being separated, and food waste that appeared to consist of kimchi, ramen, and meat—foods commonly found in Korea—was also included. The lodge commented, "This time, most of the trash was from products labeled in Korean," adding, "Every time we collect this waste, we feel truly saddened."

A large amount of Korean-labeled trash was found in Kamikochi, Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, a famous trekking destination in Japan. Photo by Tokusawaen SNS capture

However, the lodge did not single out all visitors of any particular nationality as problematic. They said, "Most customers from around the world, as well as Japanese visitors, follow the rules and care for nature," and emphasized, "Kamikochi is not a place for just one person, but a precious natural site left to us from all over the world." They urged all visitors to follow the established rules.

Kamikochi is situated at an elevation of about 1,500 meters and is part of Japan's Chubu Sangaku National Park. Designated as a scenic spot and a natural monument, it is one of the country's premier nature tourism sites. In 2025, Kamikochi welcomed approximately 1.66 million visitors, surpassing 1.6 million annual visitors for the first time in 22 years. During the same period, the number of foreign lodgers also exceeded 20,000, roughly doubling since 2017.

However, the surge in tourists has led to problems such as illegal waste dumping, accidents caused by reckless hiking, and off-trail entry—reflecting a phenomenon known as "overtourism," where negative consequences arise as excessive numbers of tourists flood popular destinations.

In response, Matsumoto City is reportedly considering introducing a "visitor fee" starting as early as 2028 to secure revenue needed for managing Kamikochi's environment and ensuring safety.

After being designated in 2024 as a management entity under the Cultural Property Protection Law, Matsumoto City established the legal groundwork to collect fees in the form of entrance charges. According to a visitor survey conducted last year, over 90% supported the introduction of such fees.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.