Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, June 17, 2024 — The world heritage site Himeji Castle in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is planning a significant adjustment to the admission fees for foreign tourists, increasing the current fee by four times. Himeji City Mayor Hidehisa Kiyomoto announced at an international conference on June 16 that this proposal aims to address the issues of overtourism and to raise funds for castle maintenance.
Current Admission Fees and Proposal Details
Currently, the admission fee for adults aged 18 and over is 1,000 yen. According to Mayor Kiyomoto’s proposal, the admission fee for foreign tourists will be increased to 4,000 yen (approximately 30 USD), while the fee for local residents is expected to remain around 5 USD.
Background Reasons
In the fiscal year 2023, Himeji Castle received approximately 1.48 million visitors, with foreign tourists accounting for about 30% (450,000 visitors), marking a historical high. Mayor Kiyomoto pointed out that increasing the admission fee for foreign tourists is intended to mitigate the impact of overtourism on local residents’ lives and the maintenance of the attraction, and to raise the necessary funds for repairs.
Public Reaction
This proposal has sparked widespread public debate. Supporters believe that the measure can effectively reduce the impact of overtourism on the local community and provide funds for the upkeep of the site. Many comments on Yahoo! News expressed support, stating that this move will help alleviate the maintenance burden on the tourist site.
However, there are also voices of opposition, with concerns that the measure may be seen as discriminatory and could damage Japan’s international image. Economic journalist Kota Takaguchi warned that if not implemented carefully, this move could make foreign tourists feel exploited, negatively impacting Japan’s tourism industry.
Summary
Himeji Castle plans to quadruple the admission fees for foreign tourists to address overtourism and raise funds for maintenance. However, this proposal has also triggered widespread discussion and diverse opinions within society.
