How Japan Deals with Obnoxious Slam Dunk Tourists

by Danica Davidson
February 8, 2024

Overall Japan likes getting tourism for its anime and manga, but that doesn’t mean that some tourists can’t be annoying. A railway crossing in Kanagawa, Kamakura, Japan is a major tourist stop for fans of Slam Dunk, and over the years some tourists have been known to cause problems there, like getting into the road where it’s not safe, or parking illegally. Not to mention the examples of littering and trespassing. The Kamakura Municipal Government decided it needed to do something about this.

It started in 2017 with hiring a security guard to hang out in the area during the days on weekends and holidays. In fall 2023, a security guard was also placed there during the day on weekdays. The guards know how to say “Don’t stay on the road!” and other important English sentences relating to their work. Now there’s an active police box usually in the area, and police cars are known to patrol to make sure nothing is amiss. In addition to this, in two months there will be two security guards together in the area 24/7.

“The number of tourists visiting hasn’t changed, but as we have communicated the rules verbally, our concerns have been getting through,” remarked an official from the Kanagawa urban planning division.

Takashi Matsuo, the mayor of Kamakura, additionally commented, “With the cooperation of police (in front of the railroad crossing), we have been able to create a much less dangerous situation. There is a limit to what a single guard can do when it comes to watching over that many tourists, so a two-person team will be effective.”

VIZ Media publishes the original Slam Dunk manga and gave this description for it:

Takehiko Inoue’s legendary beloved basketball manga is finally here and the tale of a lifetime is in your hands.

Hanamichi Sakuragi’s got no game with girls–none at all! It doesn’t help that he’s known for throwing down at a moment’s notice and always coming out on top. A hopeless bruiser, he’s been rejected by 50 girls in a row! All that changes when he meets the girl of his dreams, Haruko, and she’s actually not afraid of him! When she introduces him to the game of basketball, his life is changed forever…

Source: The Mainichi Shimbun

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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.