The western Japan city that hosts Himeji Castle proposed to the local assembly on Friday that it double or triple the World Heritage site's admission fees for nonresidents in 2026 scrapping the mayor's earlier plan to set much higher prices for foreign tourists will submit a bill in March to raise the adult ticket price from the current 1,000 yen ($6.70) to between 2,000 yen and 3,000 yen while making admission for those aged under 18 The local government also plans to introduce digital tickets with designated times and dates on a trial basis from April to October when the World Expo will be held in the neighboring prefecture of Osaka Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto said he was contemplating quadrupling the castle's entry fees for foreign visitors to help cover maintenance costs Some municipal assembly members have expressed concern at the idea including the possibility it might give foreign tourists a negative impression Around 1.48 million people visited the castle in fiscal 2023 topping 400,000 for the first time since data became available in fiscal 1992 Himeji Castle entry fees set to be hiked for all non-local visitors FOCUS: Surge in inbound tourists pushes Japan to explore dual pricing To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription Please check your inbox for a confirmation email Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible Where to find all five Samurai in Himeji Castle Himeji Castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows is in Harima and though it's filled with enemies there's a legendary loot chest just waiting to be found plus a substantial XP boost for completing it which makes all the effort worthwhile here's how to complete Himeji Castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows including all Himeji Castle Samurai Daisho locations and where to find the Legendary Chest We found two alarms in Himeji Castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows and we recommend sneaking around to sabotage all of them before you start looking for Samurai If any of the alarms are activated while you're sneaking around the entire region will go on alert and you'll be marked as wanted You can throw a Kunai or Shuriken at the the bell to make it fall to sabotage it Another option is to climb the tower to the top and approach the bell use the prompted command to 'Sabotage' the bell This removes the enemy's ability to alert the rest of the castle to your presence Here are both Himeji Castle alarm locations: There are five Samurai in Himeji Castle in Assassin's Creed Shadows you need to assassinate all five of them to be able to open the legendary loot chest and mark the castle as complete Here are all five Himeji Castle Samurai locations: The first Samurai in Himeji Castle can be found in the south-west corner of the castle grounds There are a few enemies around the target so we distracted them by detonating a few barrels with a Shuriken and hid in the bushes we had the perfect opportunity to assassinate them quietly as Naoe The second Samurai in Himeji Castle can be found in the north-east part of the castle We found this Samurai on their own in this area but we snuck up behind them and did another silent assassination - making sure to get out of there again before being spotted The third Samurai in Himeji Castle can be usually be found on a bridge over the water in the central part of the castle We've marked the location on the map below: A stealthy approach and ambush assassination would work the best here at night as there are multiple dark places to hide but as we got caught during the day we opted to return with Yasuke and use brute force to take them down The fourth Samurai in Himeji Castle can be found in the north part of the castle there is an alarm here so if you've not already disabled it we recommend doing so before chasing the Samurai We found this assassination easier as Yasuke (especially as this was during the daytime) but there are places to hide as Naoe if you want to take the stealthy approach The fifth Samurai in Himeji Castle can be found on the upper floors of the viewpoint building as this means you can plough through the enemies waiting for you on each floor until you reach the Samurai near the top use Observation to look above you when you're inside (or at the building when you're outside) to highlight the Samurai - this will make them easier to find When you've assassinated all five Samurai you can open the Himeji Castle Legendary chest which can be found a few floors below the fifth Samurai location in the viewpoint building You will go past this on your way to the Samurai on the floors above but if you can't find it then look around for the 'Legendary Loot Chest' icon to locate it Your rewards for completing Himeji Castle are Defense Master (Legendary Armor) © 2025 Eurogamer.net a brand of IGN Entertainment No part of this website or its content may be reproduced without the copyright owner's permission Eurogamer is a registered trademark of Gamer Network Limited This work, U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa Nurse Visits Himeji University Nursing School, by Isaac Savitz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright Himeji Castle is often hailed as one of Japan’s most beautiful and historically significant landmarks and it draws millions of visitors each year It’s also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site making it a must-see destination for those interested in the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage If you are planning a visit to this iconic site 2025 might be the year to do it—the castle will be raising its entrance fees by over 100% early in the new year but that is set to increase to 2500 JPY for anyone who isn’t a local Himeji resident as of March 2026 however: children who are elementary-aged and above currently pay 300 JPY for admission anyone aged under 18 will receive free admission irrespective of their residency While the price hike does come with some sticker shock the city expects the extra revenue to help cover the rising costs of maintaining and preserving the castle—an expense which has grown significantly over the past decade the city anticipates a steady flow of visitors estimating around 1.2 million people will visit annually which could bring in an additional 1 billion yen (around $6.58 million) in revenue This will go toward maintaining the castle’s beauty and ensuring its future preservation as maintenance costs are projected to rise from 14.5 billion yen (about $95.5 million) to 28 billion yen (around $184 million) in the next 10 years please note that your My Number card will be required to confirm eligibility for the resident discount when purchasing tickets Himeji Castle can be accessed in around 20 minutes on foot from Himeji Station Sign up for our weekly newsletter of articles from Japan Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon We help you navigate a myriad of possibilities Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when you’re feeling flush) By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Osaka Earlier this year, a number of popular attractions around Japan proposed raising prices to counter over-tourism and the weak yen One of the most prominent destinations to consider charging higher entry fees is Himeji Castle in Hyogo prefecture.  the Unesco World Heritage Site castle considered implementing a two-tier ticketing system which would see international tourists charged a higher admission fee the local government may be scrapping those plans to instead charge everyone not living in Himeji a higher entrance fee.  As reported by Kyodo News the Himeji government is now looking to raise the adult ticket price from ¥1,000 to somewhere between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 for non-residents starting in spring 2026 The new price will be decided this coming March young visitors will be paying even less: currently the entry fee for those who are 18 years old or under is just ¥300 but under the new pricing system they will be able to visit the castle for free Himeji Castle is not the only attraction implementing higher fees Mt Fuji started charging visitors a ¥2,000 fee to climb the Yoshida Trail the three other hiking trails to Mt Fuji – all on the Shizuoka prefecture side – may soon be subject to a similar pricing system.  As stated by the Asahi Shimbun the Yoshida Trail plus the three routes that run out of Shizuoka prefecture are considering standardising admission across all four trails the new Mt Fuji hiking admission fees will go into effect starting in the summer of 2025 Universal Studios Japan’s new Donkey Kong attraction opens this month Shibuya cancels 2025 New Year’s Eve countdown celebrations Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea welcome Christmas with 15 metre-tall trees This magical igloo village in Nagano is actually a pop-up restaurant Hokkaido has a gorgeous hotel made entirely of ice in winter Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan Thanks for subscribing! Look out for your first newsletter in your inbox soon! twittertiktokAbout us Contact us Your browser does not support JavaScript, or it is disabled．Please check the site policy for more information Hyogo Prefecture--Out-of-towners and overseas visitors to Himeji Castle will be charged more than double what residents here pay to visit the World Heritage site from next year City authorities plan to slap non-residents with a 2,500 yen ($16.40) entrance fee from March 2026 The 1,000 yen fee for city residents will remain unchanged The fee will be the highest in Japan for a castle where visitors can climb up to the castle tower citing the 1,200 yen charge for Osaka Castle from April and the 1,300 yen fee at Matsumoto Castle for paper ticket holders from April Keeping the fee unchanged for city residents is intended to foster attachment for the feudal-era hilltop fortress also known as White Heron Castle for its brilliant white exterior The My Number Card system will be used to determine whether a person is a resident or not Visitors under the age of 18 will be admitted free of charge regardless of whether they are residents or non-residents Maintenance of the world-famous castle is financed by the city's general budget account Special extraordinary expenses will be required in the future to reinforce the stone walls to withstand a major earthquake and restore various facilities of the Edo Period (1603-1867) structure New exhibits featuring digital technology are planned to be introduced The city estimates that around 28 billion yen will be needed over the next 10 years to maintain the castle and cover growing personnel and other expenses The figure is almost double the amount spent in the previous 10 years There are fears the higher entrance fee will cause visitor numbers to drop but the city estimates the planned hike will lead to increased revenue City plans to double fee for visitors to enter Himeji Castle Mayor eyes $30 Himeji Castle fee for foreigners Rare chance to explore areas of Himeji Castle usually off-limits Kyoto mayor cautious on dual pricing for foreign tourists Information on the latest cherry blossom conditions Please right click to use your browser’s translation function.) A series based on diplomatic documents declassified by Japan’s Foreign Ministry Here is a collection of first-hand accounts by “hibakusha” atomic bomb survivors chefs and others involved in the field of food introduce their special recipes intertwined with their paths in life A series about Japanese-Americans and their memories of World War II In-house News and Messages No reproduction or republication without written permission The Japanese city that hosts Himeji Castle is considering doubling or tripling admission fees for visitors who do not live in the local area with the city backing down from a plan to only impose higher ticket prices on foreign tourists is also considering a premium ticket plan targeting foreign tourists that would include a luggage storage service and discounts at restaurants in addition to admission to the UNESCO World Heritage site Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto made headlines when he told an international symposium he is contemplating quadrupling entry fees for foreigners increasing an adult ticket from the current 1,000 yen ($6.80) Kiyomoto told reporters at the time that he wants to avoid raising the admission fee for Himeji locals preserving the site as "a place of rest" for them The remarks drew backlash from municipal assembly members who argued that targeting foreigners with higher prices could hurt the image of the castle Himeji will introduce the new admission fee system as early as the spring of 2026 after discussing it with the municipal assembly and the Agency for Cultural Affairs It plans to keep the entry fees the same for Himeji residents "Himeji Castle has more buildings designated as national treasures or important cultural properties than any other castle in Japan and admission fees are an important source of funding to preserve and pass the castle on," one of the officials said Japan's Himeji Castle entry fees could increase for overseas visitors Kyoto hotel's refusal to accommodate Israeli man illegal: city has said he is contemplating "quadrupling" entry fees exclusively for foreign tourists visiting Himeji Castle The city government acknowledged Monday that Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto made the remark the previous day at an international symposium in Himeji also a national treasure with part of its wooden structure dating back to the early 17th century is currently set at 1,000 yen ($6.3) for a person aged 18 or above "We would like to charge around $30 for foreigners and around $5 for residents," Kiyomoto said at the symposium on cultural heritage and natural disasters When asked about his reason for the $5 fee Kiyomoto told reporters Monday that he wants "to avoid raising the admission fee for local residents." He said too many visitors could damage the castle's keep which also serves as "a place of rest" for people and setting two different admission fees might be a good idea The city government said in a statement it will take proper measures to realize sustainable tourism as repair and refurbishment of the castle will be continuously needed It also said many World Heritage castles abroad collect higher fees than Himeji Castle local governments are seeking additional funds to maintain tourism infrastructure by introducing or increasing fees This includes popular destinations such as Mt Record 3,568 people needed assistance on Japan mountains in 2023 Barrier at viral Mt. Fuji photo spot to be replaced after holes found The twinning of Conwy Castle in north Wales and Himeji Castle in Hyogo was dubbed the “beginning of a beautiful friendship” by Himeji mayor The unique partnership between the two castles came shortly after the Rugby World Cup when Wales coach took his team to Tokyo for the 2019 tournament The move hoped to strengthen the ties not only between Conwy and Hyogo but also the wider relationship between Wales and Japan Castles in Wales have long proven popular with international visitors with Wales having over 600 castles - more castles per square mile than any other country in Europe - and with four of these boasting World Heritage Site status the Roads of Castles in Wonderland initiative was launched following consultations with the Japanese Association of Travel Agents (JATA) in a bid to increase the number of Japanese tourists visiting north Wales the route passes several Welsh castles along the way and was developed in response to an 84% increase in visitors from Japan over the previous two years The twinning of Himeji and Conwy castles aimed to build on this and further promote tourism in both areas the walled market town of Conwy likely seems worlds apart from the neon-lit streets of Himeji City the castles have more in common than you might think Despite over 6,000 miles of land and sea separating them both landmarks have withstood the test of time and are some of the most well-preserved examples of traditional castles in the countries a key synergy between them was that the two castles were built around the same time Both castles are also known for showcasing the unique architectural styles of their home countries’ cultures The iconic stone walls and towers of Conwy Castle reflect those that can be seen in castles dotted throughout Wales while the wooden structures and distinctive roofs of Himeji Castle make it instantly recognisable as a Japanese landmark Conwy Castle is still towering over the narrow streets of Conwy over 700 years later with a 1.3 kilometre-long wall locking in the rich history that shaped the town Some have described the medieval fortress, which is home to the most intact set of medieval royal apartments in Wales, as one of the best preserved in Europe. It’s one of the four Welsh castles that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites alongside Caernarfon and Beaumaris – all built by King Edward I of England is regarded as the best surviving example of typical Japanese castle architecture Work to build the castle began back in 1333 it’s known by many as the White Heron Castle due to its strikingly bright white exterior and extraordinary elegance which resembles a heron a bird known for its wisdom and deep spiritual alignment Both castles have unsurprisingly become incredibly popular tourist destinations attracting thousands of visitors every year castles in both Wales and Japan hold significant cultural and historical importance Castles in both nations were primarily built as defence structures and are today symbols of cultural identity and pride they represent the history of resistance against English rule they are reflections of the feudal system and samurai culture and significant historical events that have been witnessed by castles make them a vital component of national identity business and sporting ties shared between Wales and Japan Wales is home to some of the best and most beautiful castles in the world Wales now boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites with details about why each is so important to the history of Wales Explore how Wales' Future Generations Act is inspiring global change and shaping a better tomorrow By answering a few questions we'll give you the chance to win one of three £100 prizes By doing so you will help us improve this website and better serve your needs A human shogi event took place on November 3 the feudal lord known to have enjoyed playing this unique version of shogi The event, held at the UNESCO World Heritage site Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture participants move as shogi pieces on a giant shogi board guided by the "army commanders." The rules differ from traditional shogi and reflect the war philosophy of a famous samurai tactician A stage resembling a 9x9 shogi board was set up at Sannomaru Square The board measured 18 meters (about 59 feet) on each side.  were the commanders of the West and East Armies Both wore Sengoku period armor for the game Toshima said in the tone of a samurai warlord: "It's a perfect day for battle Sugai is a master of the Ranging Rook openings The sound of drums and flutes filled the air as the battle began "I didn't expect you to start with the Rook," and responded with a standard "8-4 Pawn." Under the command of these top-tier shogi masters about 40 middle and high school students dressed in armor moved around the giant board ended with Toshima's West Army emerging victorious It rained on the first day of the two-day event forcing the game to be held indoors at the Hakuro Elementary and Junior High School gymnasium Tendo City in Yamagata Prefecture is also famous for its human shogi The region is known for being the biggest producer of shogi pieces in Japan.  The human shogi event in Tendo has been held every April since 1956 attracting fans from across the country.  Human shogi at Himeji Castle began in 2015 to mark the castle's major repairs A similar event has been held in Sekigahara Town at the site of the historic 1600 Battle of Sekigahara The origins of human shogi trace back to the Sengoku period Toyotomi Hideyoshi is said to have played a casual game of shogi at Fushimi Castle using young attendants as human pieces Human shogi has a unique rule not found in regular shogi: All pieces must be moved at least once Captured pieces can also be used by the opponent as their own This rule reflects the philosophy of Kuroda Kanbei Even for the professional shogi players acting as commanders I used more brainpower than in a regular game." "It's been a while since I've played in front of such a large crowd Author: Yukiko Yokoyama You must be logged in to post a comment ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " the city’s pride and a World Cultural Heritage site will be twinned with Schonbrunn Palace in Austria The Vienna tie-up will mark the fourth sister castle arrangement for the historic site also known as White Heron Castle for its brilliant white exterior and supposed resemblance to a bird taking flight Himeji Castle was twinned with Wawel Royal Castle in Cracow It became a sister castle to Chateau de Chantilly in France in 1989 and to Conwy Castle in Wales in 2019 Schonbrunn Palace was mainly used as a summer residence by successive Habsburg dynasty rulers the castle is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site City officials started consultations for the sister castle partnership as an Austrian government delegation visited Himeji Castle in the spring The municipality will invite palace officials to the city during the Osaka Kansai Expo in spring to formally sign the partnership Wawel Royal Castle was the world’s first castle to be inscribed as a World Cultural Heritage site Himeji officials began discussing the partnership after they were approached by the Polish ambassador to Japan with the suggestion in 2017 The partnership agreement was signed during a ceremony held online on Oct As the first of a series of projects based on the partnership the Himeji city government invited young Ukrainian evacuees who fled to Poland after Russia’s invasion to stay in the city from Oct Hikone Castle takes step closer to earning World Heritage status Himeji Castle to be immortalized in Lego; global sales from Aug Online tour takes visitors to hidden areas of Himeji Castle Today's print edition Home Delivery The Himeji municipal government said Friday that it will raise the admission fee for its castle — a UNESCO World Heritage site — for people from outside the city The city will now charge visitors who do not live in Himeji 2.5 times more than before The government of the city in Hyogo Prefecture which currently charges a uniform Himeji Castle entrance fee of ¥1,000 for adults age 18 and older intends to hike the price for nonresidents to ¥2,500 in March 2026 while leaving it unchanged for Himeji residents It also plans begin offering an annual ¥5,000 pass while scrapping the ¥300 fee for junior and senior high school students The government will introduce necessary amendments to local ordinances to the city assembly on Monday.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Designed to better maintain the site also known as White Heron Castle one of Japan's first UNESCO World Heritage sites the fee hike "can contribute to not only conserving the World Heritage site but securing the safety of visitors," Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto told a news conference In a time of both misinformation and too much information quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. 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Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker is hosting the International Participants Meeting (IPM) from today a two-day meeting of international participants in the Osaka 2025 World Expo The conference brings together representatives and delegates from the countries regions and international organizations that will take part in the Expo The meeting will serve to take stock of the progress of the construction of the pavilions in Yumeshima and the organizational measures taken so far the event will above all serve to present the contents of the Expo and to give further impetus to the promotion of the great event scheduled in Osaka from 13 April the president of the Japan Association for the Osaka 2025 World Expo He said the organizers aim to create “an Expo that transforms division into connection leads to the creation of new business opportunities and nurtures young talents through our exchanges.” The Osaka World Expo will be attended by some 160 countries and regions The Japan Expo Association has set a target of 14 million advance ticket sales a goal that has been substantially achieved in terms of corporate purchases but has so far been missed in terms of private ticket purchases known as the “Expo flowers,” will be crucial to the Expo’s success with the public: for this reason the event that began today in Himeji – the last of its kind before the inauguration – will be an important stage for the presentation of individual countries’ programs Read also other news on Nova News Click here and receive updates on WhatsApp Follow us on the social channels of Nova News on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram The advance reservation system for admission to the World Exposition in Osaka starting in April was one of the key issues raised at a meeting of participating countries and companies held in western Japan Hyogo Prefecture came as advance ticket sales remained slower than organizers expected at 7.5 million tickets as of early January The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition expects 28.2 million visitors during the event from April 13 to Oct Some of the participants raised questions about whether the requirement to reserve an admission ticket then book the date and time of a visit and finally enter lotteries to see particular pavilions and special events makes the process too complex An official of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said "The complexity (of the reservation system) could impact the number of visitors," but the 10-nation group expects the Japanese organizers to "solve the issue." Sources in the expo organizing group have said weaker sales are partly attributable to participants finding themselves unable to provide detailed information to the public on their planned exhibits due to construction delays "There are still many countries that have not finished the interior and exhibition areas We are doing our best to coordinate so that those countries can finish (their preparation) in time for the start of the expo on April 13," said Deputy Secretary General Manatsu Ichinoki The organizers told the meeting participants that the ticket reservation system is aimed at minimizing queues at the venue and the expo association will further strengthen public relations Representatives from more than 160 countries and institutions gathered in Himeji from Wednesday to discuss operational issues including logistics The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News South Korea ruling party head says Yoon must be stripped of powers SEOUL - The chief of South Korea's ruling People Power Party said Friday it is necessary to immediately suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol's powers following his short-lived declaration of martial law that was met with public condemnation who said the previous day that the party would seek to prevent the passage of an impeachment motion against Yoon though he did not mention the motion during a party meeting on Friday morning Japan's household spending in October falls 1.3% amid rising prices TOKYO - Japan's household spending in October fell a real 1.3 percent from a year earlier as consumers reduced purchases of food amid rising prices and clothing due to warm temperatures Separate data showed the country's inflation-adjusted wages remained flat in October compared with a year earlier after declining over the previous two months as the impact of higher prices eased due partly to government subsidies for utility bills Himeji Castle entry fees to more than double for nonresidents KOBE - The western Japan city that hosts Himeji Castle proposed to the local assembly on Friday that it double or triple the World Heritage site's admission fees for nonresidents in 2026 Japanese actress, singer Miho Nakayama found dead at Tokyo home TOKYO - Japanese actress and singer Miho Nakayama known for having starred in the acclaimed 1995 romantic film "Love Letter," and a string of hit dramas was found dead Friday in the bathtub of her Tokyo home A representative of the 54-year-old's agency and an acquaintance discovered her body when they visited her home after she failed to show up for an appointment Paraguay expels Chinese diplomat for urging severance of Taiwan ties SAO PAULO - Paraguay expelled a Chinese diplomat on Thursday for urging lawmakers in the Latin American country to sever ties with Taiwan Paraguay is Taiwan's only remaining ally in South America and one of only 12 countries that have formal diplomatic relations with the self-ruled democratic island TOKYO - The Group of Seven nations are arranging to hold a virtual summit on Dec 13 to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East Japanese government and diplomatic sources said Friday likely to be attended by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba comes ahead of the January return to the White House of U.S who has cast doubt on the effectiveness of multilateral frameworks like the G7 Japan to relax tax break rule related to dependents with job TOKYO - Japan's ruling bloc and an opposition party agreed Friday to relax the rule on deductions for taxpayers with dependents who earn income with details to be discussed at their meeting next week People with dependents aged 19 to 22 who have a job such as a parent of a college student with a part-time job are currently eligible for an income tax deduction if their dependents earn 1.03 million yen ($6,900) or less a year Football: Urawa to face Inter, River Plate at revamped Club World Cup NEW YORK - The J-League's Urawa Reds were drawn Thursday to face Italian heavyweights Inter Milan Argentina's River Plate and Mexico's Monterrey in Group E for the new-look FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next year Previously held as an annual tournament of continental football champions the expanded 32-club competition is set to take place every four years in a format similar to the FIFA World Cup for national teams Video: Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center National Report Hyogo Prefecture—The Himeji municipal government has devised a plan to charge nonresidents of the city double or triple the usual cost to enter Himeji Castle starting in spring 2026 the entrance fee for city residents (aged 18 or older) will remain 1,000 yen ($6.96) the price will two or three times that price The city decided to renew the entry fee system to the castle to secure funds for preserving the stone walls and other features of the World Cultural Heritage site A city official noted that maintenance and administrative costs for the castle come from the city’s general accounting budget “We will charge Himeji residents less because they are the ones who usually pay taxes to the city,” the official said In the early stages of discussions in June Himeji Mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto caused a stir by suggesting that higher entry fees would apply only to foreign tourists “Himeji Castle is the only World Cultural Heritage site where tourists can enter for only $7,” Kiyomoto said at an international conference held in the city we’d like to set the fee at $30 for foreigners and at around $5 for local residents.” After his words were criticized as discriminatory on social media the mayor was asked for a further explanation He told reporters the exact amount for the fees had not been decided yet The city is now considering optional plans for foreign tourists such as including luggage storage at the castle The fee changes will be included in the city’s “Plan for preserving and utilizing Himeji Castle,” a 10-year program that starts in fiscal 2025 Himeji will start discussing the plan with the Agency for Cultural Affairs in autumn the city assembly will hold a vote on amending the ordinance concerning Himeji Castle viewing and other fees Castles resurrect wooden donjons to restore former splendor ‘Castle stay’ programs bestow ‘lordships’ from one million yen Hyogo Prefecture--Visitors with a sweet tooth to this historic city fear not: Many specialty confections can be found in a single location day or night The service is courtesy of two vending machines set up in a corner on the second floor of Hotel Nikko Himeji in front of JR Himeji Station They are stocked with around 60 varieties of locally produced traditional Japanese treats and Western pastries They offer an easy souvenir option for overnight guests and other visitors Installed by the Himeji Confectionery Union the machines sell confections individually for several hundred yen each as well as boxes of assorted sweets for 1,500 yen ($9.80) The machines only accept cashless payments said he initially thought about opening a specialty shop to offer a wide range of products from companies regardless of their lines of business His aim was to rebuild the industry hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic “We want visitors to buy them before taking the Shinkansen train,” he said which is designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site Vending machine with sweet ‘body parts’ a hit in Osaka Prefecture Vending machine operating for 52 years keeps delivering bento Copyright © The Asahi Shimbun Company. 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No reproduction or republication without written permission. or Log In Japan PM tells ruling LDP to unite, be humble to bring election success TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Sunday called for his ruling Liberal Democratic Party to unify ahead of two crucial elections this summer saying the scandal-weary party can regain public trust by being more "humble" and attuned to people's needs the LDP said it will draw up a new vision for the country by around Nov the 70th anniversary of the founding of the conservative party which has long held the goal of amending Japan's war-renouncing Constitution Japan ranks 3rd worst place for working women in 2024 int'l ranking LONDON - Japan ranked the third worst place among developed nations for working women for the second year in a row according to the 2024 index compiled by British magazine The Economist released to mark International Women's Day on Saturday which measures the role and influence of women in the workforce in 29 of the 38 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Japan's shortage of full-time workers at worst level since COVID TOKYO - Japanese firms are feeling the most acute shortage of full-time workers since the COVID-19 pandemic Among the around 11,000 companies who responded to the January survey 53.4 percent said they need more full-time workers the highest since April 2020 and close to the all-time high of 53.9 percent in November 2018 Job-hunting students continue to face sexual harassment in Japan TOKYO - Students interviewing for graduate jobs in Japan continue to be sexually harassed by recruiters highlighting a failure of attempts to eradicate the problem and the power imbalance that endures despite companies' desperation to fill roles amid the country's labor shortage Although many companies have implemented measures to stop harassment the Japan Harassment Association said it has continued to receive various complaints with a majority coming from female university students Sumo: Electric Abi spoils Hoshoryu's yokozuna debut in Osaka OSAKA - New yokozuna Hoshoryu suffered a nightmare start to his time at the exalted rank on Sunday after the Mongolian-born wrestler was defeated emphatically by komusubi Abi on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament the nephew of former grand champion Asashoryu won promotion after winning the Emperor's Cup via a three-way playoff at January's New Year meet but was handed a reality check at the earliest opportunity at Edion Arena Osaka Golf: U.S. LPGA rookie Rio Takeda rolls to 6-shot win in China TOKYO - Japanese golfer Rio Takeda picked up her first win of her U.S cruising to a six-shot victory at the Blue Bay LPGA tournament in China tour when she won the Japan Classic last November had a 17-under 271 total at the Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course on Hainan Island Ski jumping: Ryoyu Kobayashi rebounds to 3rd place in large hill at worlds Norway - Japanese ski jumper Ryoyu Kobayashi bounced back from his normal hill seventh-place finish to claim third in the individual large hill event at the Nordic skiing world championships on Saturday who earned normal hill gold and large hill silver at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics had jumps of 135.5 and 137.0 meters for a total of 284.7 points in Trondheim Athletics: Chepkirui wins Nagoya Women's Marathon, Sato crosses 2nd NAGOYA - Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui broke away around the 36-kilometer mark and cruised to the win at the Nagoya Women's Marathon on Sunday while Japan's Sayaka Sato finished second in 2:20:59 in the last of the host nation's three selection races for the women's marathon at the world athletics championships to be held in Tokyo in September Video: Lake Biwa sightseeing season begins To have the latest news and stories delivered to your inbox, subscribe here. Simply enter your email address below and an email will be sent through which to complete your subscription. Please check your inbox for a confirmation email. If you wish to change your message, press 'Cancel' to go back and edit. Thank you for reaching out to us.We will get back to you as soon as possible. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world ColumnistJapan Really Should Charge Tourists Four Times MoreThe swarm of visitors to a Japanese castle has prompted one city to suggest higher prices for foreigners — much higher.  Photographer: Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images a mid-sized Japanese city about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Osaka Please view the main text area of the page by skipping the main menu. The page may not be displayed properly if the JavaScript is deactivated on your browser Japanese version Hyogo Prefecture--Visitors to the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 can try Himeji’s specialty usually served at train stations (“eki”) for commuters on the run The “ekisoba” noodle dish is a quick local snack sold at a cheap price But an upgraded version will be offered for eight times the original price at the world's fair which offers ekisoba and “ekiben” boxed meals will operate a two-story shop in front of the Forest of Tranquility Zone at the expo venue a restaurant with about 80 seats on the first floor will dish out ekisoba The highlight of its menu is the ultimate ekisoba a luxury edition of a tempura-topped ekisoba bowl sold for 480 yen ($3.20) the soup will be adorned with extracts from scallops and “hamaguri” clams It will be topped with sliced Kobe beef shoulder roast The treat will be served in a lacquer bowl being produced by Taya-Shikkiten Co. Staff will wear uniforms designed by Michiko Koshino a world-renowned fashion designer who hails from Osaka Prefecture “Ekiben sold most in 1970 when the previous Osaka Expo was held,” Maneki Foods President Noritaka Takeda said during a news conference held in Himeji on Jan “I want to liven up the mood during the six-month run because I want Japan to regain its vitality once again.” Himeji Castle to be twinned with Schonbrunn Palace in Austria Season passes to Osaka Expo will be discounted for April Osaka gears up for the 2025 World Expo with memories of hosting a half-century ago Cost to construct Osaka expo pavilion rises by 4.1 billion yen Osaka ponders ride-sharing in drive to alleviate expo congestion plans to raise the admission fee to Himeji Castle from the current ¥1,000 to ¥2,500 for adults who are not residents of the city please disable the ad blocking feature and reload the page This website uses cookies to collect information about your visit for purposes such as showing you personalized ads and content By clicking “Accept all,” you will allow the use of these cookies Users accessing this site from EEA countries and UK are unable to view this site without your consent The city government will submit a bill to revise the related ordinance to the city council it will present a “double-fee system” to visitors The city government said that approximately ¥28 billion will be required over the next 10 years to fund urgently needed maintenance and restoration work on the castle The city expects to be able to cover about ¥7 billion of that from a combination of its own resources and subsidies from the central and prefectural governments and they hope revenue from admission fees will provide for the remaining ¥21 billion The admission fee for city residents will remain at its current level Visitors may be asked to show Individual Number Cards or other identification to prove that they are local the city plans to issue an annual passport which will enable the holder unlimited admission to the castle who currently have to pay ¥300 to enter the castle regardless of whether or not they are local Our weekly ePaper presents the most noteworthy recent topics in an exciting © 2025 The Japan News - by The Yomiuri Shimbun The Secretary of the Bie emphasized the importance of the Expo as an opportunity for countries and major global players to come together in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation With just over 80 days to go until the opening of the Osaka 2025 World Expo construction work is continuing apace to complete the pavilions and the entire Expo site on the artificial island of Yumeshima the complex logistical and organizational effort needed to ensure the success of the Expo and above all the content and message that the great event intends to convey to visitors and the entire world were the focus of the International Participants Meeting (IPM) the two-day meeting of delegates and representatives of the participating countries held in Himeji Italy was also a protagonist in the event: the ambassador Mario Vattani Commissioner General for Italy and Expo 2025 Osaka professor of East Asian art history at the University of Milan and head of the culture sector for Italy at the Expo presented the rich program of the Italian Pavilion for the semester of the event technological innovation and national excellence Vattani: Italian Pavilion at Expo Osaka is a showcase of excellence and a humanistic vision of progress – video The Secretary General of the Japan Association for the Osaka World Expo 2025 and the secretary general of the Bureau International des Expositions (Bie) took stock of the meeting during a press conference The secretary of the BIE emphasized the importance of the Expo as an opportunity for countries and major global players to come together in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation to jointly address the most pressing global challenges and define a shared vision for the future: "An event like this," said Kerkentzes "takes on even greater importance in today's turbulent global scenario: 160 countries will come together in a non-confrontational context to imagine the society of the future for our lives." The Osaka Expo will also be the first to be held after the Covid-19 pandemic and “will allow the human consortium to show its unity in facing common challenges and questioning future ones” The secretary general of the Japan Expo Association said that work at the Yumeshima site is progressing rapidly and the organizers are confident of being able to welcome the first visitors on April 13 an imposing wooden ring with a circumference of about two kilometers that has already become one of the symbols of the Expo Ishige and Kerkentzes acknowledged that holding the Expo will probably require a greater financial effort than expected bring to the participating countries an important capital of economic commercial and diplomatic relations: not least dignitaries and personalities from different countries who will visit Yumeshima during the Expo semester in conjunction with the National Days dedicated to the countries protagonists of the event The latter – explained Kerkentzes – are now focusing on the programs that will animate their Pavilions their vision for the society of the future and the opportunities offered by the co-creation that will give life to the Expo The IPM of Himeji provided a first opportunity to present these programs and the visions that they articulate in detail to the Japanese and international press The dialogue between the representatives of the countries participating in the Expo has also focused in recent days on the tangible and above all intangible legacy of the Osaka Expo for Japan and for the entire international community Secretary General Ishige also discussed the difficulties that the organizers of the Expo encountered in getting ticket pre-sales off the ground in the months before the opening of the great event: to date over 7 million tickets have been sold in pre-sale but they were purchased mainly by companies Ishige admitted that progress is still needed in communicating the themes contents and program of the next Universal Exposition to the public that of involving the public is "a difficulty inherent in the very nature of the Expo": an event lasting six months which usually experiences a growth in popularity during its duration explained the secretary general of the BIE but to avoid excessive crowding in the final months of the Expo Expo Osaka 2025 presents the public with an ambitious program: it will be a window through which to see experience and imagine the society of the future and a springboard to realize and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) It will also be an opportunity for Japan to take a step forward – in terms of society technology and humanity – together with the next generation of young people leaving a legacy of developing new thinkers doers and leaders for the future society and for our lives Expo 2025 will bring together a wide range of participating pavilions including international pavilions from 158 countries and nine regions The biannual event will showcase next-generation technologies and social systems giving visitors a glimpse of the future beyond 2025 The Expo itself will serve as a platform for the deployment of new technological solutions: the Smart Mobility Expo will showcase flying cars advanced personal mobility and zero-emission transportation The Virtual Expo will allow visitors to visit the Expo virtually from anywhere in the world the World Expo will showcase the latest in digital technology: from personal visitor assistants to automatic translation systems and more The Art Expo will consist of a series of art installations spread across the Expo site including the water show in the Water Plaza and the art installation in the Tranquility Forest The Green Expo will showcase the latest cutting-edge green technologies that will lead the world towards a low-carbon future visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a future world and see how we might live travel and play in the cities of the future A wide range of events will be staged throughout the six months of the Expo to entertain and educate both visitors and participants These events will be a mix of Official Events successfully introduced at Expo Dubai 2020 Leveraging the presence of participating countries and visitors from around the world who will gather in Osaka for the six months of the Expo the Thematic Weeks programme will bring together international knowledge experience and collaboration to work towards solving global problems and explore solutions through dialogue The programme will feature eight Thematic Weeks on the following themes: Co-creating Cultures for the Future; The Future of Community and Mobility; Life’s Necessities: Food Clothing and Shelter; Health and Wellbeing Human Security and Dignity; The Future of Earth and Biodiversity; SDG+: Beyond the Future Society for Life By entering your email address you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receive emails from Time Out about news, events, offers and partner promotions. Tokyo Nara Photo: ESB Professional/Shutterstock14 best places to see cherry blossoms in Japan – with 2025 datesCan't get enough cherry blossoms in Tokyo Here's where and when to catch sakura across Japan Nothing elicits more excitement in Japan than cherry blossom season. These delicate pink flowers bloom for just two weeks annually, so everyone clears their schedule for hanami picnics and long strolls in the parks A single cherry tree along an otherwise drab unremarkable road is enough to transform the street and stop pedestrians in their tracks for photos it’s worth going the extra mile to seek stunning settings that enhance the blossoms’ beauty We’ve already got a list of the best places in Tokyo for sakura spotting but there are just as many trees to see in other prefectures Here are the top sites and festivals to check out in Japan Note: the dates in this feature may change depending on weather conditions. See the latest flowering forecast here RECOMMENDED: The greatest cherry blossom trees of Japan Photo: ESB Professional/ShutterstockMt Yoshino in Nara prefecture is known not only for its natural beauty but also for its cultural and historical significance It’s even recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site for its role as a sacred mountain and pilgrimage destination.Yoshino's charm lies in its roughly 30,000 cherry blossom trees the mountain has inspired Japanese folk songs and poetry the flowers unfold up the mountain over several weeks allowing visitors to enjoy them in different stages Key dates: Between April 3 and 9 is the best time to visit Mt Yoshino for peak blossom viewing.  Photo: Fujiyoshida Tourism AssociationThe beautiful backdrop of Mt Fuji makes Arakurayama Sengen Park one of the most spectacular places to experience cherry blossom season in Japan The park has over 650 cherry trees that surround the famous Chureito Pagoda providing an unparalleled viewing experience for visitors The pink blossoms that blanket the trees in spring create a vibrant and magical atmosphere that is difficult to find anywhere else Key dates: Peak viewing times fall between April 4 to 8.  Photo: Himeji CitySpring is the most rewarding time to visit Himeji Castle in Hyogo prefecture is also a designated Unesco World Heritage Site But you'll probably be most mesmerised by the approximately 1,000 sakura trees on the castle grounds – they look particularly striking against the castle's stark white facade Key dates: Expect the sakura to begin flowering on March 26 and reach full bloom by April 2 Photo: Hiro1775/DreamstimeHirosaki Park’s 2,600 cherry trees are made up of over 50 different varieties; there’s even a tunnel formed by the trees you can walk through. If you’re feeling adventurous, head northwest to Ashino Park which is part of the vast Ashino Chishogun Prefectural Natural Park Key dates: Sakura is predicted to peak around April 18 Photo: Sean Pavone/DreamstimeWhen we think of cherry blossoms in Osaka, one particular snapshot comes to mind: Osaka Castle with its jade roof and golden highlights The park around the castle boasts about 3,000 cherry trees creating beautiful photo ops even after sunset Key dates: Sakura is set to begin flowering on March 29 and reach its peak on April 6 Kyoto is far from being the only city in Japan with charming geisha districts. In Kanazawa dozens of perfectly preserved Meiji-era-style tea houses from around the late 1800s line the Kazue-machi Chaya District between the Asanogawa and Nakano bridges This historical geisha district is beautiful year-round but is especially attractive in sakura season when the cherry trees along the Asano River are in full bloom Other popular cherry blossom sites include the 16th-century Kanazawa Castle and the Kenrokuen Garden which boasts over 420 cherry trees in 20 varieties.  Key dates: Sakura is predicted to bloom from April 5 and peak around April 11 around 3,000 yoshino cherry trees grow along the banks of the Shinano River Key dates: This year’s sakura festival at Takada Castle runs from March 28 to April 13 which is also the best time to catch the sakura.  Photo: Hiro1775/DreamstimeVisit the well-preserved samurai village of Kakunodate, famous for its weeping cherry trees. Alternatively, the Hinokinai riverbank a designated National Place of Scenic Beauty Key dates: Sakura is predicted to peak between April 15 and April 20 Photo: Sanga Park/DreamstimeHokkaido Shrine and its adjacent Maruyama Park are among Sapporo’s top destinations for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties. Alternatively, head to nearby Nakajima Park where you can find a diverse range of cherry trees including the weeping cherry and the double-flowering cherry Key dates: Peak is expected between late April and early May.  Jonaka/Photo ACKyoto is famous for its many historical shrines and temples with millions of visitors flocking to the sacred grounds throughout the year these structures look even more magical when they are surrounded by pastel-pink cherry blossoms For the best sakura photo ops, stroll along the city's famous 'Philosopher's Walk' (Tetsugaku no Michi), a pedestrian path beside a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees located between the famous Ginkakuji Temple, also known as the Silver Pavilion, and the Nanzenji Temple you’ll find a number of shrines and temples Key dates: Sakura is set to begin flowering on March 29 and reach its peak on April 7.  Photo: Onemu/ShutterstockTakato Castle Ruins Park in Ina city has around 1,500 trees and a unique variety with blossoms that feature brighter pink petals You’ll find another 500 or so cherry trees in the garden of Edo-era (1603-1868) castle Komoro Kaikoen Key dates: Sakura is predicted to peak between April 4 and April 10.  Photo: Tabea GreunerOne of the best sakura spots in Fukushima prefecture is Tsuruga Castle and its surrounding park in Aizu-Wakamatsu an old samurai town that’s also famous for its sake Stroll through the castle grounds that boast about 1,000 someiyoshino cherry trees which make for great photo ops when framed against the historic structure so get your cameras ready for some beautiful night shots as well Key dates: Sakura is predicted to peak between April 10 and April 15 Photo: Muchujin/PixtaMaizuru Park in Fukuoka is the city’s go-to destination for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) enthusiasts The park boasts the remnants of Fukuoka Castle which makes for a nice backdrop to the blooming sakura trees What’s more, visitors can enjoy the annual Fukuoka Castle Sakura Festival which features an evening illumination event The festival is a perfect opportunity to take a leisurely stroll and appreciate the beautiful sight of the 1,000 cherry trees in full bloom This year’s festival will be taking place from late March to early April Key dates: The flowers are predicted to begin blooming around March 22 and peak on March 31 Photo: Sean Pavone/DreamstimeItsukushima Shrine on the small island of Miyajima near Hiroshima city is a World Heritage site that dates back to the 12th century. For the best view, head up to the area around the Tahoto pagoda, where you’ll be able to see the pagoda surrounded by cherry blossoms and the iconic red torii gate in the clear water of the Seto Inland Sea. Key dates: The best time to see the blossoms here is between March 28 and April 3. Where to see the sakura – Tokyo parks, gardens and more great hanami spots Illustration: Time Out TokyoGetting your hanami on is the highlight of the year for many – here's how to appreciate the sakura like the locals Photo: Yukari Harada/UnsplashThere's more to these pink and white flowers than you think facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramAbout us KOBE — Someiyoshino cherry blossoms have reached full bloom in Kobe the regional meteorological observatory announced on Sunday News of the cherry blossoms in full bloom on the day was also heard in Himeji in the prefecture to see a view of the illuminated castle towers together with the trees The lawn area of Sannomaru Square in the castle area will be open all day until Wednesday “It’s a special place where you can look up at night at the cherry blossoms along with the castle,” said a woman in her 20s from Himeji who visited with her husband on Friday night A wild boar attacked children and staff at a child care facility and another man nearby in Hyogo Prefecture on Tuesday According to the Hyogo Prefectural Police's Shikama station a staff member at a certified child care facility in Imajuku The incident unfolded as a mother was picking up her children.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); the boar suddenly charged at the 3-year-old before attacking a 24-year-old female child care worker who attempted to intervene who had been fleeing to a nearby parking lot as well as a 9-year-old cousin of the siblings and a 60-year-old child care worker who came to help including fractures to his left hand and arm The other four victims suffered minor injuries such as bites to the knee and bruising About 10 minutes before the incident at the child care facility the same boar attacked a 67-year-old man on a sidewalk around 700 meters away from the facility causing him to fall and sustain minor injuries was later found collapsed on a sidewalk 250 meters south of the facility It was captured and euthanized by a local hunting association The police are investigating the circumstances of these incidents Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division The view of cherry blossoms with Himeji Castle in the background is truly exceptional a national treasure registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993 over 1,000 cherry trees bloom along what is known as a ‘cherry blossom corridor,’ creating a breathtaking scene We spoke with a person from the office managing Himeji Castle to learn more about the castle’s charm during the cherry blossom season Himeji Castle is located in the center of Himeji City in the southwestern part of Hyogo Prefecture It is about a 20-minute walk from JR Himeji Station The main keep of the castle is built atop a small hill called Mt offering a beautiful view of the castle from the surrounding city The existing main keep was built in 1609 by IKEDA Terumasa it has undergone detailed repairs and has been maintained for nearly 400 years who works at the management office of the castle discusses the view of Himeji Castle and the cherry blossoms “Himeji Castle is affectionately known by the nickname Shirasagi-jo (‘White Heron Castle’) due to its beautiful pure white-plastered walls1 and the graceful appearance of its main keep which resembles a white heron (shirasagi)2 with wings outstretched white plaster is also used in the gaps and joints that hold the roof tiles (kawara)3 in place and the roof tiles themselves can shine white depending on how the light hits contributing to the overall brightness of the castle It is known for its beauty from every angle earning the nickname Happo Shomen (‘beautiful from all sides’) The castle is surrounded by many cherry trees and visitors can enjoy the scenic view of the castle and cherry blossoms from various angles while taking a stroll around the grounds.” Around 1,000 cherry trees have been planted around Himeji Castle reaching their peak bloom around late March each year creating a stunning contrast with the castle’s white walls many visitors from both Japan and abroad come to see the castle If you wish to take photos of the cherry blossoms with the castle in the background visiting early in the morning is recommended pamphlets within the paid admission area are available in multiple languages and informational signs include English explanations Staff members who speak English and Chinese are also available so visitors can ask for assistance if needed,” says KYUNAI One particularly popular activity is riding a traditional wooden Japanese boat5 The view of the cherry blossoms and the main keep from the water offers a different charm compared to the view from the ground (see photo) the Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival is held featuring performances of traditional Japanese instruments such as the koto and taiko drums as well as Japanese dance and choral singing where visitors can enjoy tea ceremonies as well as local sake and cuisine beautifully pairs with the cherry blossoms Why not take advantage of the unique experiences that can only be enjoyed at Himeji Castle in spring If you have any feedback or comments on this content please enter them in the space provided below Your valuable feedback and commnents will be referenced for our future operations Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter for receiving monthly updates You will be redirected to an external website Would you like to proceed?If you wish to continue a midsized Japanese city in Hyogo Prefecture about 80 kilometers from Osaka a centuries-old fortress once home to the great Japanese unifier Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the best surviving example of such structures from the Warring States period many of which were destroyed in air raids during World War II the castle became Japan’s first UNESCO World Heritage site — for readers of a different generation it might be better known as the location of Tiger Tanaka’s training school in the 1967 James Bond movie "You Only Live Twice."googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); }); Recently, Himeji Castle has grabbed attention for a different reason. Hideyasu Kiyomoto, the mayor of the city of half a million, generated international headlines last month when he suggested that foreign tourists ought to pay more — about four times more — than the ¥1,000 ($6.20) the castle currently charges for admission He feels now is the right time to introduce a two-tier pricing system Speaking at an international symposium on cultural heritage and natural disasters on Sunday said he is considering “quadrupling” entry fees exclusively for foreign tourists visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site adult entry fees for the castle are set at ¥1,000 which is around $6.33 according to current exchange rates Kiyomoto feels that it is too cheap for visitors from overseas He believes that with the yen being so weak and tourism thriving now is the right time to introduce two-tier pricing made headlines for offering discounted prices for local residents For nijukaku to be realized at Himeji Castle the idea will first have to be approved by the Agency for Cultural Affairs It was also the site of Tiger Tanaka’s secret ninja training camp in the James Bond flick You Only Live Twice