A near-deserted snow-covered street is seen in Kyoto on January 14. Tourists used to flock to the city in their droves, but not amid the pandemic. Photo: Kyodo
Will Kyoto go bankrupt? Japan’s ancient capital swims in debt as coronavirus keeps foreign tourists away
- The city of history and culture used to have millions of annual visitors, but is now struggling as two years’ lost tourism revenue adds to its mountain of debt
- Kyoto’s mayor plans to restore fiscal health by cutting costs and asking the city’s many temples, which are currently exempt from taxation, to contribute
A near-deserted snow-covered street is seen in Kyoto on January 14. Tourists used to flock to the city in their droves, but not amid the pandemic. Photo: Kyodo
