Der Bürgermeister von Himeji im Westen Japans hat angekündigt, dass er eine „Vervierfachung“ der Eintrittspreise ausschließlich für ausländische Touristen erwägt, die die Burg Himeji besuchen.
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2024/06/05324b7eab1f-japans-himeji-castle-entry-fees-could-increase-for-overseas-visitors.html
28 comments
$6 for something like that seems so cheap, I really would’ve expected entry to be more expensive in a country like Japan
Entirely okay with that. I get it. The only way to throttle the volume of people is with cost.
That’s what they do in Egypt and I think it’s a good policy, helps to slightly reduce tourist numbers and bring in much more money for conservation work whilst still encouraging domestic tourism for people to experience their history.
It’s only a $6 entrance fee. So it would be $24, which is pretty similar to most historical building entrance fees around Europe (with a lot of variation, obviously). It’s 25 euro for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, 18 euro for the Coliseum, 35 euro to the top of the Eiffel tower, 34 euro for the Tower of London, etc…
It’s 24 bucks if it goes back to upkeep why would anyone be upset with this.
Still cheaper than buying a beer at Disney, probably.
Seems fair.
For some context Himeji is the largest castle in Japan and one of only 12 still in their original form (as many have been rebuilt over time due to earthquakes, war, etc)
Its also a UNESCO world heritage site. So considering that its still comparatively cheap.
I visited in september last year and it was definitely worth $6 and I would probably pay $20 as well.
I visited Himeji like… 5 days ago. Would not have blinked an eye at that pricing.
I’m about to build it in Lego, so I’ll be okay.
It seems to be in line with about every other tourist attraction I’ve seen lately. Our local dinosaur museum is $28 for an adult day pass.
Perfectly reasonable and is pretty common. In the US, a lot of states will charge a resident fee and then a higher fee for tourists for state parks, museums, etc.
Pretty understandable
This is fine. The Japanese citizens pay taxes, which subsidize the costs of maintaining these buildings, their caretaker staff, etc. Tourists are not paying these taxes, so a higher fee is reasonable.
It’s the most famous/ important castle in Japan, and was closed for a number of years recently for repairs.
I’m guessing they need some money to pay off all the repair work done.
They’re contemplating, in other parts of the world it’s simply done, no questions asked.
But I get it. We Germans are similar in this regard. Announce you’re thinking about it, overthink it for months or even years, listen to countless opinions, change some specifics, some (jk, a lot) bureaucracy (with a fax machine somewhere involved of course), and after years, implement it but changed and watered down so much it basically has little effect anymore.
The weak yen is wreaking havoc on Japan’s cultural sites. I recently read you need a prepaid ticket to visit the Peace Museum In Hiroshima. When I was there it was desolate, peaceful and moving. I can’t imagine it with hordes of tourists.
An Aside
If you have any interest at all in Himeji Castle and are visiting Japan, you should make a point to seeing it. It’s right on the JR rail line, it’s a beautiful visit, and has some nice gardens and ponds beside as well. It was the highlight of my visit years ago.
The tour guides there were free as well, and at the time were happy simply to practice their english by giving tours. Visit it, it’s great, and the tour guides tell a great story.
I’ve been there twice now and it’s well worth the higher entrance fee. It’s an amazing site and deserves the funding for the upkeep.
It might seem reasonable from an international viewpoint before for foreigners who live in Japan and have lived here a long period of time we’re trying to used to Japanese prices so is there a way that I who’s been over here for over 10 years would not get fined the same value as a foreigner because I look like a foreigner and I don’t want to pay an exorbitant rate
Very reasonable. Locals’ taxes already go to support it. Foreigners don’t pay taxes.
I wonder if reactions would be different if they were to instead increase the prices overall, but give discounts to the locals (Japan residents or those living in the prefecture).
Honestly I’ve been there and my first thought was “only $6?! This place is insane. They could charge like 5 times for this.” I thought they were really under charging for how clean and well maintained everything was.
How tf is this news?
I said it once and Ill say it again- japanese people in japan do not like people who are not japanese
Best castle in Japan
Do it. $30 to see such amazing history is not expensive. Give the maintenance staff and workers a raise.