Himeji Castle entry fees set to be hiked for all non-local visitors

I am against discrimination in general and in this case too. Everybody should pay the same.

This is nothing but a money grab.

I can see enough from the outside.

I recently went to Osaka castle and wish I hadn’t, and it didn’t cost much anyway.

It was last month when the temperature was 38*C

Yes, hike the entry fee to whatever looking after the castle costs, and discount entry for locals. Such practices are common worldwide.

Do not frame this as outsiders or foreigners "paying more" because such framing triggers people.

People speak with your pocket books. Work in tokyo and send your tax money back home? Stop it. Don’t want to pay it, just walk around outside and don’t go in. Don’t support the politicos, don’t shop in the local gift shops to put pressure on locals to change. Gladly we can speak with our pocketbooks

@kohakuebisu

The practice you speak of is not common in Australia. Everybody pays the same, local or tourist doesn’t matter.

Obviously this is just the attempt to salvage a bad idea with a worse one. Not going to lie, though, I would actually like to see them try, if only for the entertainment value of asking "local visitors" for a recent jūminhyō.

This is not discrimination. If they can afford to fly to Japan and go sightseeing they'll be fine. I'm sure there won't be any tourists outside of Himeji Castle holding signs protesting. I've been to Himeji Castle once and I have no plans of going back inside. It's just best to take a picture of it from the outside. Locals would agree.

Any price increases need to apply to all the visitors. I live near the castle and we are a frequent visitor but we no longer enter the castle grounds having done that one frequently.

What do they mean by "people who don't live in the local area?"

So non Himeji residents will also pay the extra admission?

The outside is more interesting than the inside anyway.

How long before someone ‘living in Tokyo’ comes on here and says, “Their country, there rules,” as though that means anything. This does sometimes happen in other countries, but, with a few exceptions, they are generally developing or very poor countries.

Around 1.48 million people visited the castle in fiscal 2023, and 452,300 were foreigners, topping 400,000 for the first time since data became available in fiscal 1992, according to the city government.

If the increase in price becomes real it will be interesting to see how these numbers change, It is not unreasonable to think the current popularity is due in great part to the low entrance fees. If this makes tourists (and companies designing tours) to de-prioritize the castle it could end up with less revenue than now.

Wallace is right. How local is local?

Glad I went there a few years ago before this debacle. Why do they have to make so many exclusions? Just set one price for everyone and be done with it.

Local people would have to show their IDs like Drivers License, Health Card, My Number. The castle maintenance is by taxes from the central government and not the Himeji government. Those taxpayers would have to pay the increases.

@hawk, so true, no need to physically enter the castle to enjoy the view. Regarding the definition of “local” resident discount, it states pretty clearly as “Himeji residents,” which I assume literally means those who reside in Himeji. My stance is neutral, as this practice is very common worldwide, I wouldn’t call it a discrimination. Consider it a resident privileged discount as opposed to premium rates for non-residents.

Many Japanese ski resorts have discounts for locals. They may not write them in huge letters on their website or have a huge sign at the ticket window saying "Outsiders pay 50% more" which would trigger people, but such discounts exist. Every local will know about them.

My local onsen is 20% off for locals, again with no sign and no need to buy a book of tickets or anything. There's another onsen that is 50% off, but I am not considered a local there because we only live in the neighbouring town, not that town itself. The standard way to prove you are local is with your driving license.

The money collected from the admission fees is used to pay staff and the general running of the site. If the increase goes ahead, and I doubt it will, will the staff receive increases in their wages?

This is not discrimination. If they can afford to fly to Japan and go sightseeing they'll be fine. 

I would not use the word "discrimination". Many people living in Japan have luxury handbags, live in mansions, drive imported luxury cars. I have no luxury handbag, live in a small house, drive a Toyota Corolla. So I should pay more than them when visiting the castle is bit rich.

However, I believe charging the same entry fee for everyone while giving discounts to locals, students, elderlies etc are acceptable.

Nz charges 10000yen just to enter the country

“How local is local?”

A local person is someone who is a registered resident in the municipality, someone who has “juminhyo.” But don’t despair. The price-hike is scheduled for the spring of 2026. You still have one and a half years to go.

I recently went to Osaka castle and wish I hadn’t, and it didn’t cost much anyway.

Osaka Castle is a concrete replica. Himeji Castle is the real deal, the best castle in Japan. There is no comparison.

The "didn't cost much" is the problem. Historic buildings cost an absolute fortune to maintain, and the standard way to pay for it worldwide is to charge way more than places in Japan charge.

A creative way to charge locals less, especially for anywhere that doubles as a park used for relaxation, is to also sell tickets online with a name (ID required) and then allow one year of entry on each ticket for someone with the matching ID. Some places in the UK do this.

Fair 'nough,

Great idea. Himeji castle is an important local building, so locals deserve the right to visit it at anytime. Tourists are usually richer and have saved a lot of money for vacations, so they can afford the higher price. This is known as tourist prices.

Raise the prices for anyone from any nationality that lives more than 100km from the castle.

Dual pricing IS done in Australia - for instance, Tasmanians get into the famous Mona museum in Hobart much cheaper than visitors/tourists who do not live in Tasmania. And in Western Australia in my municipality as a local ratepayer I get into a major local attraction for free. Where-as visitors from outside our municipality, including many interstate and overseas visitors have to pay. This encourages the local to take their visitors to the attraction. If I had to pay every time I took a visitor to our local attractions, I probably would not take them there. I have been to Himeji fortunately. But if I had to pay the earlier suggested price of around $40Australian - around $80 for a couple - then I would probably gaze at it from afar! We did not have any luggage with us, so the ‘premium’ idea seems a little weird. We did have a meal and afternoon tea in Himeji before we left. I know of an upcoming tour that has told its participants they’ll see Himeji, but they won’t be climbing it.

Their country...

Their rules...

LOOOOL!

GO JAPAN!

Having run an inbound Japan travel company specializing in mountain hiking and walking tours - with itineraries including highlights such as Himeji Castle - for more than 20 years, I know that prices generally (particularly accommodation), local taxes, and fees continue to increase quite significantly, or are being imposed for the first time (such as fees to climb Mount Fuji).

The huge surge in overseas visitor numbers, and the weak yen, are causing various reactions including price inflation. A mountain guide I've worked with over the years pointed out that the JMGA had advised charging a daily guide fee of 60,000 yen. He quoted his source. One reason for this figure, a big increase on what guides were charging a couple of years or so ago, was that that the yen was weak so visitors could afford this sort of fee. It seems strange, however, to base a professional fee structure on exchange rates.

It was Koizumi Junichiro who introduced the Visit Japan Campaign in 2003, the year I ran my first tour in Japan.

'In order to greatly increase the number of foreign tourists to Japan, the Japanese government is currently making a concerted effort to achieve the goal of transforming Japan into a major tourism country. As part of this effort, the government embarked on the Visit Japan Campaign (VJC) in April 2003.

The aim of this campaign, as announced by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, is to double the number of foreign tourists to Japan, to ten million, by the year 2010.'

In 2024 the number will have risen to about 35 million.

And people are talking about 'over-tourism'. And there is some resentment at visitor numbers. Some reports of anti-social or rude behavior by visitors. And there are pretty big price increases. And indecision about what to do ...

Funny that when the JETRO kindly gave me temporary office space as an inbound start-up travel business, whilst they had advisors and consultants on hand for sectors such as finance, high tech, industry, agriculture etc., they had know idea as to why I was starting a Japan travel business, and had no-one around who could advise or help me. Why would anyone be interested in Japan? Seems they hadn't heard of the global travel market. How times change!

There still seems to be uncertainty about what to do, indecision, lack of a clear vision for tourism in the future.

Some things seem not to change!

As long as it's for all tourists including Japanese I don't see a problem with it. It's the "you don't look Japanese so you get to pay more" kind of price hike that's shitty. I doubt if they did that it wouldn't be like they would require Japanese to prove that they are Japanese, so it would become a do you pass as Japanese entry test, would definitely have told them I'm Japanese and see what they would do.

Do everyone outside Himeji pays more including Japanese and foreigners. This article is vague.

Also the word discrimination is not correct, but is easy to say I guess by many. If it is fair or not is more suitable.

Yes, hike the entry fee to whatever looking after the castle costs, and discount entry for locals. Such practices are common worldwide.

Just because others do it, doesn't mean it's right.

put in a food court and that ought to cover maintenance expenses nicely. :)

I agree if you are going to increase the price of admission based on the number of tourist that are coming in that means the employees have much more to do. If the fee increase is going to increase the pay wages of the workers I am all for it, but if it is a money grab for the city I disagree. On another note look at Disneyland their fees go up yearly and when their fees do go up they are very costly and everyone regardless of where you live in the country or out of the country pays the same. However Disneyland use a little trickery when they KNOW the toruist season is at a low they give residents in the local area a discount which really isn't much but the workers still make pennies on a dollar!!! Talking about a Billion dollar rat!!!

kaimycahl

Today 08:58 pm JST

I agree if you are going to increase the price of admission based on the number of tourist that are coming in that means the employees have much more to do

You should expect a decrease in demand if price is increased

Anyway, I'm not against charging the locals less but I would prefer uniform pricing that they would adjust based on peak and low seasons.

During peak season if the locals wanna visit at that time then they pay full.

Or just visit during low season when the price is low.

They could continue to charge ¥1,000 to enter the castle grounds. Another ¥1,000 to enter the central keep which might reduce the numbers.

I've been to so many Japanese castles..the inside is so boring compared to European ones.

You take your shoes off climb loads of stairs and try not to slide because you are in your socks.

The humidity is stifling and then you get to see a shuriken collection.

Japanese castles are best seen from the outside.

1000 yen to enter is already overpriced for what one can see or experience.

1000 yen to enter is already overpriced for what one can see or experience.

Aw, come on, it's a bargain. The Tower of London costs almost 7000 yen, Stonehenge 5000 yen. Quadrupling the price for foreigners is a bit of a pisstake, but 1000 yen for Japan's second best castle isn't bad.

@ClippetyClop

How many times have you paid to enter and if you ever did, did you feel ripped off?

How many times have you paid to enter and if you ever did, did you feel ripped off?

I've been twice. I think the last time I went it was about 500 yen. Was a while ago.

No, I didn't feel ripped off at all. In fact I felt as though I was the one getting the better of the deal. It's a world class site.

proxy

How many times have you paid to enter and if you ever did, did you feel ripped off?

I have in Himeji Castle more than 10 times and had a very enjoyable time on each occasion. I have only been in the central keep twice.

I have not felt ripped off.

Also when we lived in Nagano I visited Matsumoto Castle more than 10 times. Hakone is another good one.

Having a discount in place for local residents (municipality) makes perfect sense. First of all, they are not likely to overwhelm a tourist attraction they have already seen multiple times, or grown up around and know inside out, but on the other hand, they might visit nevertheless quite often, playing tour guide to visiting family, friends and acquaintances, who will be paying full price, helping in the financial upkeep of the attraction.

I think "pricing that they would adjust based on peak and low seasons " is also a valid idea for tourists in general. Just don't draw the line between "foreigners" and "Japanese". It does not matter, which group gets the better deal, the other one will be left with a slight resentment about it. You should not want that, when trying to attract visitors in the first place.

Having a discount in place for local residents (municipality) makes perfect sense.

Agreed. I have no problem with locals getting a hefty discount, or even free entry. It's effectively a very nice park for them. In my town I get discounts or free entry to some attractions as a local.

Potentially quadrupling the price for foreigners only, as was originally mused, is just a bad idea.

1500 - 2000 yen for all tourists, 500 yen for locals. Everyone can live with that.

Well at least it is not based on country.

There are a lot more interesting castles in Japan than Himeji. At least the base and walls of the castle at Tsuyama are original and not just a replica.

Due to the high numbers then unfortunately, yes!

Dynamic pricing is now becoming the norm so let’s make them pay if they want to see it.

Starting to get Bali vibes. People in Japan are getting so pour we have to price segregate now. I remember when the idea of visiting Japan was scary as a foreigner because it was so expensive any Japanese people were “well off”

I think Matsumoto is better anyway

I see no problem with this as long as it is really non-locals.

Japan has a tendency just to say all foreigners are non-locals and anyone looking Japanese is local.

I will not go to this artificial castle.

The Ripper! -- Then don't go. I would and I'd be happy to pay the fee. People are charged such fees all across the world.

The Ripper!

I will not go to this artificial castle.

It's your comment that is artificial.

The Ripper! -- Then don't go.

Nice illogical comment.

I think they could get away with this and a lot less people would be offended/upset if they just worded it differently:

Offer a discount off the "regular price" for people who live in the area.

@ClippityClop

1000 yen for Japan's second best castle isn't bad.

Just out of curiosity, which do you think is Japan’s best castle? For me, Matsumoto is the only one that rivals Himeji.

Just out of curiosity, which do you think is Japan’s best castle? For me, Matsumoto is the only one that rivals Himeji.

I always liked Gujo-Hachiman-jo, although I was just being a bit mischievous. Himeji-jo is the dog's bollocks of castles.

Matsumoto is good with the moat and red bridge but only the central keep remains. The Northern Alps backdrop.

It took me many visits to Himiji to see all the parts in detail.

Himiji is easier to travel to.

Both are good for the cherry blossom season.

They don't do that in my country... I've never seen anyone show a passport and be charged more. It's discrimination.

Why are we all surprised? All developing countries do this.......

Based on the foot fall this year, that's roughly a income of 296 million yen, I hope that there is a clear record of financial transactions, and clear accounting of where all of the money has or will be spent. If there is any financial holes in the accounts next year, I would like to think that someone will be held accountable.

Finally it’s about time! Now let the money roll in!

I recently went to Osaka castle and wish I hadn’t, and it didn’t cost much anyway.

They are very different - Himeji is restored in the way it is thought to have been.

Osaka castle is a joke, nothing more than a viewingpoint with a castle facade.

All developing countries do this.......

It will be illegal to do this in France.

Every city in Japan has different ways how to charge entrance fees - in the city I am living, if you are 60+ and living within the city, regardless if Japanese or foreign citizen, you can enter the city museum and the castle and some other places for free, you can also apply for a 50 % discount using the city bus - the ward office gives you a card to show it at the entrance and you can apply for a senior bus card.

Free entrance and discounts also for children/students and groups. However otherwise you pay, regardless where you are living, in the city or outside, foreigner or Japanese, no difference.

The regulation they consider for Himeji is a somehow questionable, also the price hike is too high, Japanese in general are carefully and patient and increase prices slowly - I guess to consider to charge yen 3.000,- instead of yen 1.000,- will prevent many visitors to enter the castle. It would be different if they consider to charge instead of yen 1000,- maybe yen 1.200,- or yen 1.500,-.

It has nothing to do anyway with the weak yen. Japan is still not such a cheap country for international tourists, considering fares for railway, hotel rates etc.

Well done. In line with what places like this do all over the world. British Museum now working on the same style plan

Hopefully less visitors with more revenue at Himeji. It was like a non stop rugby scrum last time I went there... Horrible. Fully support this. Easy to implement, less impact, better revenues, better experience for visitors.

Smart idea. I don't see any negatives.

It will be illegal to do this in France.

Total rubbish

We have a world heritage site in our town (in Japan) and locals can enter for free while all other tourists have to pay.

Does the castle receive funding from national taxes?

They’re going about this all wrong… all they need to say is that costs are going up so they are increasing the price (for everyone) but locals can enjoy a discount upon showing their ID. People can be so socially inept sometimes. Geez

Japanese continue to discriminate fortunately I’ve already been there I don’t need to go back even though I’m a permanent resident