Alert for tourists as popular city introduces new fine – 'must be paid on the spot'

From June 1 new fines have become law in the city meaning anyone caught littering can be fined 2,000 Japanese yen, or around £10. Although the fine is not steep, authorities are hoping the heavily touristed areas will yield a significant amount of revenue from fines as travellers get caught out.

In a deeply honour-based society there will also be the shame of being picked out from the crowd for tossing trash on the street.

The fines only apply to some of Tokyo’s most-visited areas and attractions, including the Shibuya district which has become world famous for the frantic multi-direction street crossing which sees hordes of locals and tourists cross a busy road intersection.

Known as the Shibuya Scramble, the area has become a Mecca for travellers and influencers wanting to film and record the moment they brave the busiest streets in a city home to over 14 million people.

According to SoraNews24, the fines are also in place for the pedestrian approaches surrounding the famous Meiji Shrine temple and for the fashionable Takeshita Street where tourists flock to pick up a Japanese-kitsch bargain.

According to local media, the fines will be issued on the spot for offenders and will apply on streets as well as in shopping centres and on the underground train network.

Around 50 inspectors have been employed in Shibuya Ward alone and they will operate 24 hours a day in the area which has a bustling nightlife.

Fines are already issued to food and beverage businesses in the ward if they fail to provide bins for customers to use. Failure to provide a trash receptacle can result in a penalty of 50,000 yen, or around £230.