
‘Are you from Japan?' Foreigners must pay to pray at this temple
Japan is drawing controversy and criticism for its recent decision to charge admission only to foreign tourists, at a time when issues related to people from abroad are gaining attention in the national election.
Since May, Nanzoin in Fukuoka Prefecture, known for its 41-meter (135-foot) long reclining Buddha statue, has been charging foreign visitors 300 yen (US$2) to enter, saying the funds are needed to address nuisance behaviour.
An expert said that the move 'lacks transparency', as debate over the pricing policy for foreign tourists – whose numbers have reached a record high – has intensified.
A sign reading 'Visitors' in English stands at the entrance to the area surrounding one of the world's largest statues of its kind, where foreigners queue up to pay a fee at a reception window. Those with proof of long-term stays in Japan for work or study are exempt.
Visitors crowd a street leading to Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto on Friday. Photo: Reuters
As Japanese people are not charged, no explanation in Japanese appears on the sign. Staff or security guards confirm verbally, asking questions like 'Are you from Japan?' before directing them to bypass the line without waiting.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
China's drone warfare exercise, warning over spy souvenirs: SCMP daily highlights
Catch up on some of SCMP's biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing China has staged a warfare demonstration using a full spectrum of uncrewed systems, underscoring its role as a leading global drone supplier, according to a state media report. GDP growth is on pace to meet leadership's goal for China, but a stubborn property slump, trade complications and deflationary pressure persist. Key rings, backpack charms, necklaces and earrings are among the items that might contain hidden spy functions, according to China's Ministry of State Security. Photo: Shutterstock China's top anti-spy agency has advised citizens travelling abroad to be cautious while accepting souvenirs that could have surveillance capabilities.


South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Hong Kong Summer Viva' tourism campaign presents new discounts and offers
The Hong Kong Tourism Board has turned the heat up on its summer offers and discounts campaign, encouraging tourists and locals to spend more amid a slow economy. On Tuesday, the board unveiled new additions that increase the number of available offers and discounts to 260. These include buy-one-get-one-free offers on set dinners or à la carte dishes from renowned Cantonese restaurants, early-bird discounts for family-friendly facilities, deals from various tourist attractions and offers on popular fast-food items. More than 100 hotels will continue to provide buy-one-get-one-free buffet lunches or dinners, alongside accommodation discounts, it said.


South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Beware of overseas spies bearing souvenirs, China warns travellers
China's top anti-spy agency has advised citizens travelling abroad to be wary of accepting souvenirs that could be used for surveillance. Advertisement Items such as backpack charms, key rings, necklaces and earrings might have hidden spy functions , including cameras, listening devices and tracking features, the Ministry of State Security warned on social media on Tuesday. It said the public must understand national security regulations and exercise caution with these 'modified travel souvenirs'. It added that overseas spy agencies might push these altered gifts through 'forced gifting'. State sector personnel, employees in classified roles, and scholars and students in universities and research institutions are prime targets, according to the ministry. It said these gifts could pose a risk to state secrets if they entered classified workplaces. Advertisement