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Watatsumi Shrine, also known as Kaijin Shrine, a famous tourist landmark in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, has made a shocking decision to completely ban tourists in general. The reason for this decision stems from the disrespectful and unruly behavior of some visitors, which seriously affects the sanctity and order of the shrine, according to Chosun Biz.
The official announcement regarding this ban, signed by the head priest Hirayama Shizuki Hirayama, states: "Starting March 23rd, international tourists and non-devotees will not be permitted to enter the shrine grounds. Furthermore, all photography, filming, and live streaming of the shrine's architectural structures, including the underwater torii gate, are strictly prohibited. We refuse to welcome those who come to the shrine purely for tourism purposes, including domestic and international bus tours. Individuals who view the shrine as an amusement park or filming location will not be considered tourists."
Starting March 23rd, Watatsumi Shinto shrine in Japan has completely banned tourists from taking photos, filming, and live-streaming the shrine's buildings and structures.
This decision was made following a serious incident on March 22nd, when a foreign tourist engaged in unacceptable behavior, forcing the temple management to take drastic measures. The temple also stated that they had repeatedly reported the issues related to uncivilized behavior by tourists to the police and local authorities, but had yet to find a definitive solution. They face daily acts of vandalism against artifacts and even attacks on staff from some inconsiderate tourists.
Watatsumi Shinto Shrine (also known as Kaijin Shrine) - a tourism icon of Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan.
Watatsumi Shrine's decision has sparked considerable public debate. Some argue it's an overly harsh measure, while others support it, claiming it's a necessary step to protect Japan's precious cultural heritage. This raises a crucial question about the balance between tourism development and cultural preservation, a concern not only for Japan but for many countries around the world.
Starting today (March 23), international tourists and non-believers are not allowed into the temple grounds.
Previously, the uncivilized behavior of some South Korean tourists caused outrage among Japanese netizens, leading to the decision to ban South Korean visitors from Watatsumi Shinto shrine, a popular tourist destination in Nagasaki Prefecture.
According to information circulating on social media in South Korea and Japan, Watatsumi Shrine has posted signs banning South Korean visitors due to littering and smoking within the shrine grounds. Yonhap News Agency (South Korea) confirmed that Watatsumi Shrine, also known as Kaijin Shrine, located on Tsushima Island in Nagasaki Prefecture, implemented this ban due to the inconsiderate behavior of some South Korean tourists.
Many disrespectful behaviors by foreign tourists affect the solemnity of the temple.
Previously, on March 25th, the Sankei Shimbun and several other Japanese newspapers reported that Watatsumi Shrine had banned non-Shinto Korean visitors from worshipping at the shrine starting March 23rd. Japanese media reported that Korean visitors had caused numerous problems such as smoking, littering, and throwing stones throughout the shrine, causing significant headaches for the shrine's management. The situation culminated on March 22nd when a Korean visitor attacked a shrine employee.
The uncivilized behavior of South Korean tourists is not limited to Watatsumi Temple. In February, a South Korean woman was arrested by Japanese police for assaulting a customs officer at Fukuoka Airport when the officer prevented her from taking photos of a South Korean idol group in a no-photo zone. In January 2025, a South Korean teenager was also arrested in Osaka on charges of sexually harassing a Japanese high school girl.
Because of these issues, the temple has implemented strong deterrent measures.
Professor Seo Kyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University noted that negative behavior by South Korean tourists in Japan is on the rise, causing embarrassing situations and creating resentment among Japanese people. She called this situation "a national disgrace."
Tsushima Island, home to Watatsumi Shrine, is a popular tourist destination, especially for South Koreans, thanks to its proximity to the Korean Peninsula and its role as the setting for the popular video game "Ghost of Tsushima". Watatsumi Shrine, with its unique architecture featuring torii gates erected vertically into the water, is one of the island's iconic tourist attractions.
