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Himeji Castle’s Two-Tier Pricing Proposal for Tourists Sparks Backlash
Himeji Castle says it may charge foreign tourists four times more than locals. Is two-tier pricing in Japan sending mixed messages?
By Jay Allen
Recently, the mayor of Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture said the city might implement separate pricing for tourists from abroad. It’s a strategy that other areas are considering to combat overtourism in Japan. However, some foreign residents worry this will result in blatant discrimination. Meanwhile, others wonder whether it’ll do anything to reduce overtourism in a meaningful way.
Charging tourists 4x as much?
Himeji Castle in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, remains a popular draw for both domestic and inbound travelers in Japan. It’s consistently ranked the most popular castle in Japan for domestic tourists.
Along with the rest of the country, Himeji has struggled with how to control overtourism to the historic location. Himeji’s mayor, Kiyomoto Hideyasu, thinks he has a solution: charge foreign tourists more — way more — to visit.
