Why Japan Banned Eating On The Street While Walking

We all love to eat on the go. That’s how life has become – always hustling and trying to survive. But what is acceptable in America is not necessarily acceptable elsewhere. Often we have to follow the rules of the cities we’re visiting. Here’s a country that has “banned” eating on the go!

If you’re visiting Japan, you might want to reconsider eating that okonomiyaki on the move because the city of Kamakura advises visitors to abstain from eating and strolling in public. Kamakura, a beach town south of Tokyo, has instituted a new government ordinance prohibiting street eating.

Tourists flock to Kamakura, less than an hour by train from central Tokyo. There’s plenty to see and do in this beachside city, from historic Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines to hiking trails, beaches, and superb restaurants. In 2018, the town welcomed almost 20 million visitors.

The ban, which has been in force since April 1^st 2019, was established to avoid the accumulation of litter in well-known tourist sites, consisting of discarded food packaging and leftover food. It can get pretty packed at times.

Particularly along the Komachi-Dori, a pedestrianized street that winds through the city’s center. Around 50,000 to 60,000 people walk along Komachi-Dori every day to explore the boutiques, craft stores, pubs, bakeries, restaurants, and street food booths.

With so many tourists, the local government has trouble keeping up with the amount of rubbish generated, especially food waste. Crumbs and wasted food draw more work for the local government, attracting some unwanted creatures.