The mayor of Himeji in western Japan is considering quadrupling entry fees for foreign tourists visiting Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, due to the rise in inbound tourism. Currently, the admission fee for the castle is 1,000 yen for adults.
Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto mentioned this potential increase at an international symposium, proposing fees of around $30 for foreigners and $5 for residents to prevent raising fees for locals. The aim is to protect the castle from damage caused by too many visitors and maintain it as a restful place.
The city government plans to implement sustainable tourism measures, given the continuous need for repair and maintenance of the castle. The decision to raise fees is also influenced by other World Heritage sites abroad that charge higher fees. In fiscal 2023, 1.48 million people visited Himeji Castle, with 452,300 being foreigners.
As Japan experiences a surge in tourism, local governments are exploring ways to fund maintenance of tourist sites, including popular attractions like Mount Fuji and Itsukushima Shrine.
© KYODO