Kyoto Eyeing Dual Pricing for World Heritage Castle

Kyoto plans to introduce dual pricing for admission fees to Nijo Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site, starting in fiscal 2027, according to a city government source. This new policy will charge out-of-town visitors twice as much as city residents. The majority of tourists visiting the castle are from outside the city, and the government hopes the additional revenue will be used for conservation and renovation purposes.

Currently, the ticket price for a combined admission to the castle and Ninomaru Palace is 1,300 yen ($8). Under the proposed two-tier system, residents will pay 1,000 yen while nonresidents will pay 2,000 yen. The city hopes that the reduced price for locals will encourage them to visit more frequently. Nijo Castle welcomed around 2.07 million visitors in fiscal 2025, which ended in March.

A survey conducted in the fall of last year found that residents made up approximately 2 percent of the visitors, although precise residency data are not available. This move follows the lead of other popular tourist destinations in Japan that have implemented dual pricing. Himeji Castle, another UNESCO World Heritage site located in Hyogo Prefecture, introduced the practice in March of this year.

The adult ticket fee for nonresidents at Himeji Castle has been raised to 2,500 yen, while the price for residents aged 18 or above remains at 1,000 yen.