The Kyoto city government on Saturday began enforcing a set of ordinances that lower building height limits and ban all rooftop and blinking advertisements to preserve the historic scenery of the ancient capital.
The effort has won praise for Kyoto Mayor Yorikane Masumoto, who described it as a "major project looking a century ahead." But land prices are falling in areas affected by the height restrictions, and local advertising companies are complaining about business being hampered.
Local ordinances for the new measures were approved unanimously by the Kyoto Municipal Assembly in March. Land prices have since fallen, particularly in business areas in central Kyoto along Shijodori and Kawaramachidori streets, said local real estate consultant Hiroshi Amano.