Himeji Castle now charges nonresidents 2,500 yen against 1,000 for locals, and one month in, admissions fell about 17 percent while ticket revenue nearly doubled. The line that matters is residency, not nationality: a foreigner with a Japanese residence card pays the local rate, a Japanese tourist from Tokyo pays the tourist rate, and the extra money goes to 400-year-old stone walls.
Where it already applies:
- Himeji Castle: 2,500 yen nonresident, 1,000 resident
- Odawara Castle on the Tokaido line: 1,000 against 500
- Nanzoin Temple near Fukuoka: 300 yen, residents free
- National museums go two-tier by 2031
Budget for it rather than fear it, and ask at each gate whether the surcharge pays for the roof or just the view.
