Special buses for Chinese tourists on ‘explosive shopping’ trips to Japan are causing traffic headaches in Tokyo

Complaints have been pouring in about a growing number of large buses carrying foreign tourists, with drivers and locals saying they are a nuisance because they park in the street.

Those involved have been seeking ways to rectify the situation amidst a surge in buying sprees, especially among Chinese tourists known for “bakugai” or “explosive shopping,” but the problem remains due to a lack of parking spots in the Japanese capital.

In early January ahead of the Lunar New Year in February when Chinese travellers flock to Japan, some eight tour buses occupied the left traffic lane of a four-lane road on a main street in the posh Ginza shopping district.

The buses parked there were awaiting tourists who had finished shopping at department stores and boutiques. On the sidewalk, Chinese tourists holding shopping bags were instructed by store security to open a path for pedestrians.

“I usually stop here because there aren’t any other places,” a bus driver said. “If we are lucky, we can leave here around 15 minutes behind schedule but a 30-minute delay is not unusual.”

A number of seats in the bus remained empty even 10 minutes past the meeting time.