Japanese city cracks down on bad tourist habit
As far as bad tourist habits go, littering is always ranked quite highly. But one particular item getting left behind on Japanese streets is now prompting a major crackdown.
One Tokyo neighbourhood is fed up with travellers leaving unwanted bags and old suitcases behind on the streets and is planning to introduce new fines.
One Tokyo neighbourhood is cracking down on tourist behaviour. iStock
Toshima ward, which is home to the busy Ikebukuro shopping district, reported about 290 abandoned bags were found across the ward in 2025, according to the Independent.
The issue is especially concentrated around Ikebukuro station, where a large number of hotels and private holiday rentals are located.
Officials suspect some travellers are replacing their luggage with cheaper Japanese suitcases before leaving their old bags behind rather than paying to dispose of them.
Others may be upgrading their bags after running out of space, or changing their luggage to avoid any excess baggage fees.
Suitcases left in streets is becoming a growing problem. iStock
Another issue is one of safety and the concern unattended baggage could pose a different kind of threat, with many residents said to be calling officials to report suspicious bags.
The problem is not just one for this one neighbourhood either, with local media reporting about 4600 suitcases were recorded as found property in Tokyo in 2025, up from roughly 2600 in 2022.
Toshima plans to enact an ordinance by the end of March 2027 with changes rolling out in April.
