The mayor of Himeji, Kiyomoto, is considering raising the entry fees to the iconic White Heron Castle, with foreign tourists paying more than locals. The proposed increase aims to generate funds for the tourism sector, including the restoration of the 400-year-old castle and managing overtourism in Hyogo Prefecture. While some support the move citing the weak yen, others criticize it as discriminatory.
Travel analyst Ashley Harvey suggests dynamic pricing instead, with higher fees during peak times. He emphasizes the need for better destination management to address overtourism issues. Despite mixed reactions to the proposal, the reinvestment of revenue into tourism is seen as a positive step.