Millions of tourists flock each year to what is arguably the world’s most famous crosswalk, but officials in Tokyo’s Shibuya district say they have had enough of the litter left behind by the surge in visitors.
Starting this week, anyone caught littering on the streets of Shibuya will face a fine of 2,000 yen (about $14), as part of a new effort to combat a growing trash problem fueled by record tourism levels in Japan.
According to a statement from Shibuya authorities, the fine will apply to people who discard waste on streets, in parks and in other public spaces. About 50 inspectors will be deployed around Shibuya Station and nearby streets to enforce the measure. The team will include staff who speak English, Chinese and Korean to help communicate the rules and enforce them among foreign visitors.
Inspectors will be authorized to collect fines on the spot, with payment accepted in cash, by credit card or through QR-code digital payment systems.
Until now, fines in the district were largely limited to smoking in public spaces. However, amendments to local cleanliness regulations have expanded enforcement to include littering offenses.
Shibuya is one of Japan’s busiest tourist destinations and is best known for the iconic scramble crossing outside its main railway station. According to district data, between 1,000 and 2,500 people cross the intersection during a single traffic-light cycle at peak times, making it one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world.
“We are committed to protecting the urban environment and ask everyone who visits Shibuya, regardless of nationality, to respect the city’s rules,” district mayor Ken Hasebe said.
The move comes as Japan continues to set tourism records. According to figures from the Japan National Tourism Organization cited by the BBC, the country welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors in 2025. While tourism has boosted the economy, authorities have increasingly faced complaints in recent years about overcrowding, litter and disruptions to local residents in popular tourist areas.
Japanese media have reported a rise in littering and public drinking in Shibuya, particularly in areas surrounding Shibuya Station. District officials said previous campaigns based on public awareness efforts and warning signs had failed to significantly reduce the problem, prompting a shift toward stricter enforcement and financial penalties.
The new campaign has even adopted its own slogan: “If you throw trash, you lose cash.”
At the same time, Japan continues to explore additional measures to address overtourism, which has emerged as one of the country’s most pressing tourism challenges in recent years.