Rise in Korean Tourists, Soaring Prices: Admission Fees at Famous Japanese Attractions Double

Fee Hike at 752 Public Facilities in Nagoya
Nagoya Castle Admission Doubles from 500 to 1,000 Yen

The city of Nagoya, Japan, has raised usage fees at 752 public facilities, including Nagoya Castle, citing the burden of increased management costs due to rising prices. The adult admission fee for Nagoya Castle has doubled from its previous rate.

According to the Asahi Shimbun of Japan on October 2, Nagoya City increased the user fees for public facilities in the city the previous day. As the costs required for the management and operation of these facilities have risen, the city decided to pass on part of the burden to users.

Nagoya Castle Tenshukaku. Nagoya Castle official website

View original image

The fee hikes apply to a total of 752 facilities, including cultural small theaters and city-run gymnasiums. In most cases, the usage fees have been adjusted up to a maximum of 1.5 times the previous amount.

Among major tourist attractions, the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens raised its adult admission fee from 500 yen (4,300 won) to 800 yen (6,900 won). The fee for Nagoya Castle doubled from 500 yen to 1,000 yen (8,600 won).

On October 1, the first day of the new rates, Nagoya Castle still saw many visitors. Rudy Pasarib, 63, from Singapore, said, “It is amazing that such a beautiful castle was built centuries ago. It’s simply magnificent,” expressing his admiration. Regarding the doubled admission fee, he commented, “Even if it’s 1,000 yen, it’s worth coming to see.”

On the other hand, a woman in her 40s from Shizuoka Prefecture, who visited Nagoya Castle with her child, said, “It feels a bit expensive,” and added, “Since we cannot even enter the Tenshukaku (main keep) interior, I wish it were a little cheaper.” Currently, entry to the interior of the Tenshukaku at Nagoya Castle is restricted.

Recently, there has been a trend among Japan’s major tourist destinations either to raise admission fees or to revise their pricing schemes. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), 3,098,900 foreign visitors came to Japan in August, exceeding 3 million arrivals in a single month. In particular, the number of Korean visitors reached 850,500, a 28.7% increase from 660,917 in the same month last year.

With the increase in inbound tourism, there is a growing number of cases in Japan where a so-called “dual pricing system” is being introduced, charging tourists higher rates than residents. In March, Himeji City in Hyogo Prefecture implemented a dual pricing system for admission to Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tourists are required to pay 2,500 yen (17,100 won), while Himeji residents continue to pay the previous fee of 1,000 yen.

Kyoto City is also considering different fares for residents and non-residents in public transportation. By 2027, there are plans to implement differentiated bus fares for city buses according to residency status.

Hot Picks Today

[Report] “It’s Not 500 Million, It’s 700 Million?”… Why Newlyweds Who Sought All-in Loans for Bongcheon-dong Apartments Have Gone Silent

These measures are intended to reduce congestion and the burden of facility maintenance caused by over-tourism. However, as systems that effectively charge higher fees to foreign tourists spread, there is growing controversy that they could lead to discrimination or excessive pricing for visitors.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.

© The Asia Business Daily. All rights reserved. Unauthorized AI training and use prohibited.