Priests at Watazumi Shrine on Tsushima Island have banned all tourists from the site due to a recent act of disrespect. The decision, announced on March 23, 2025, prohibits entry for all but local parishioners and worshippers, following concerns about the impact of tourism on the shrine, which gained fame from the video game Ghost of Tsushima.
- Priests ban tourists from Watazumi Shrine
- Shrine inspired Ghost of Tsushima's Scarlet Rock
- $260,000 raised for shrine repairs after typhoon
- Foreign disrespect led to tourism ban
- Concerns over virtual shrine depictions arise
- Japanese Prime Minister addresses shrine defacement
Watazumi Shrine, known for its iconic half-sunken Torii gate, has become a significant cultural landmark, especially after receiving $260,000 from the gaming community for repairs following damage from a typhoon in 2020. The shrine’s caretakers issued the ban after a foreign visitor committed what they described as “an extremely serious and unforgivable act of disrespect.” Despite consultations with local authorities, no satisfactory resolution was reached, prompting the priests to take this significant step.
Key details surrounding the ban include:
- Entry is now restricted to local parishioners and worshippers only.
- No photography or video recording is allowed on the premises.
- Domestic bus tours are also prohibited.
The priests expressed their concerns about the negative impact of inbound tourism on cultural heritage, stating that the actions of some visitors threaten the integrity of places cherished by the Japanese people. This decision comes amid broader discussions about the virtual representation of shrines in video games, which have raised similar concerns. Recently, the Japanese Prime Minister addressed the issue, emphasizing that defacing shrines is unacceptable.
The ban on tourists at Watazumi Shrine highlights the ongoing tension between tourism and cultural preservation. As the shrine’s caretakers strive to protect their heritage, they call for greater awareness and respect from visitors to ensure the continued reverence of such sites.
