On April 14, 2026, Tourism Lab introduced its initiatives at a meeting of the Entertainment District Liaison Council, alongside a report on the Street Drinking Countermeasures Project.
The Entertainment District Liaison Council is a forum where local organizations and stakeholders, including shopping street associations from Shibuya, Minato, Shinjuku, and Toshima wards, gather to exchange information and discuss issues related to safety, security, and visitor management in major entertainment districts.
Urban Challenges Accompanying Growing Visitor Numbers
As part of the Tourism Lab presentation, the relationship between tourism and urban challenges was discussed.
In recent years, Shibuya has experienced a significant increase and diversification in visitors. While this has contributed to the area's vitality, it has also brought challenges related to cleanliness, public safety, and visitor behavior.
At the same time, ongoing redevelopment projects and growing international demand have further expanded Shibuya’s potential as a global destination.
Against this backdrop, Tourism Lab emphasized the importance of designing tourism policy and urban management in an integrated manner rather than treating them as separate issues.
A “Circular Model” for Enhancing Urban Value
Tourism Lab is working toward the development of an Urban Management Circular Model, which aims to address urban challenges while simultaneously enhancing urban value through tourism.
Specifically, the model envisions a cycle in which:
Revenue generated through tourism, such as accommodation taxes, is secured as a financial resource.
Those resources are reinvested in urban improvements, including cleaning, safety measures, and public space management.
Improved urban environments lead to greater urban value, attracting further investment and visitors.
Through this model, Tourism Lab seeks to reframe responses to urban challenges not as costs, but as opportunities for value creation.
Exploring Policy Mechanisms Including Accommodation Taxes
As one of the mechanisms supporting this circular model, Tourism Lab also introduced ongoing discussions regarding accommodation taxes and related policy frameworks.
The lab continues to conduct research on domestic and international case studies and engage with local governments and relevant organizations through interviews, consultations, and information sharing.
Participant Responses
Participants showed strong interest in both the technology-driven approaches to addressing street drinking and the integrated perspective that connects tourism with urban management.
In particular, there was a notable level of understanding regarding the need to establish mechanisms for securing tourism-related revenue and reinvesting it in urban improvements, including discussions surrounding accommodation taxes.
Looking Ahead
Tourism Lab will continue to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders while leveraging insights gained through pilot projects, research, and policy discussions.
Through these efforts, the lab aims to contribute to the realization of sustainable urban management in Shibuya and to create a model that supports both vibrant tourism and an attractive urban environment.
