By JUNJI MURAKAMI/ Staff Writer
October 20, 2025 at 14:54 JST
A park near the “Slam Dunk” crossing in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, saw larger crowds than usual on Oct. 8, the final day of China’s National Day holiday period. (Junji Murakami)
KAMAKURA, Kanagawa Prefecture—The municipal government here has started a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs of security personnel stationed at a railway crossing-turned photo hotspot for fans of the “Slam Dunk” manga and anime.
The move comes in response to continuing concerns among residents over the influx of tourists and the financial burden placed on the city.
The crossing near Kamakura-Koko-Mae Station on the Enoshima Electric Railway Line, often shortened to “Enoden,” gained domestic and overseas attention after appearing in the series.
However, the littering and crowding that accompanied the surge in visitors prompted the city and railway operator Enoden to send out a weekend traffic guide in 2017. This was later expanded to weekdays in 2023 and turned into a two-person team in 2024.
During China’s National Day holiday period in October, the city temporarily increased the team to seven members to accommodate the expected spike. At present, five guides will be at the crossing regularly until March.
The city previously relied on national subsidies, Enoden contributions and municipal funds to cover these costs.
This has led to local residents voicing frustration, arguing that they receive no direct benefit from the tourism and questioning the use of taxpayer money. Some proposed that Enoden bear the full financial responsibility.
Visitors from outside Kamakura have expressed a willingness to help, prompting the city to turn to Japan’s “furusato nozei” hometown tax system that allows taxpayers to donate to a municipality of their choice in exchange for a deduction.
The campaign’s goal is to raise 3.5 million yen ($23,000) by Jan. 7 to hire additional security personnel and create signage to help manage tourist flow.
Donors should note that this particular campaign does not come with any thank-you gifts typical of the furusato nozei program.
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