Arab News Japan

DUBAI: Tourism is on the rise in Japan, with a record-high 17.78 million foreign tourists visiting the Asian county in the first half of the year. With the surge in numbers, businesses in Japan are considering a dual pricing system for foreign tourists and local people.

The Hokkaido Tourism Organization was one of the first prefectures to call on businesses to lower prices for locals.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the organization is pushing to trial run the dual pricing system this autumn. One of Hokkaido’s hotel operators said that discounts are necessary to ensure that Japanese people don’t leave popular areas in Japan.

Western Japan’s Himeji is also considering a similar system as its mayor Hideyasu Kiyomoto announced in June they were mulling quadrupling entrance fees for foreign tourists at Himeji Castle, a UNESCO-registered samurai fortress with parts dating to the 17th century.

The mayor told Japanese media he is thinking of setting it about $30 for foreign tourists and $5 for residents.

Osaka prefecture is also suggesting higher fees for tourists; however it has faced criticism and opposition as the 2025 Osaka Expo is set to take place next April.

The two-tier systems have already been set in place, especially at facilities like hot spring baths, but applying the concept to foreign tourists might look like a scam, according to critics.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic ended, Japan struggled with over tourism and even announced a huge barrier erected to cover a popular photo spot to block views of Mount Fuji due to crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists.