Japan slaps new tourism tax on iconic Floating Shrine to rein in Instagram crowds

Have you heard about the incredible Itsukushima Shrine, located on Miyajima Island in Japan?

It's the one with the huge, bright-orange gate that appears to float on the water.

Well, guess what? Now, if you want to go see it, there's a new rule - you'll need to pay a special tourist tax.

What

• In a place called Hatsukaichi in Japan, there's this special gate called a torii.

• It's part of a very old Shinto site that's incredibly famous and significant.

• But, because so many people want to see it, there's a problem.

• Too many tourists can be tough on the site and the people who live there.

• So, they decided to introduce a new rule.

• If you want to visit the island where this shrine is, you have to pay a little extra money.

• It's like a "tourist tax," and it started recently.

   

How much

• Now, when people visit the island where the shrine is, they have to pay 100 Yen (INR 55).
• But if someone plans to visit more than once, they can get a pass for 500 Yen (INR 279) that lasts for a whole year.
• The money collected from these fees will be used to improve things for tourists.
• They'll build clean public bathrooms, take care of the shrine, and even help protect the environment in the area for nature lovers.

So, it's like everyone's small contribution to making the place nicer for everyone who visits.

There's a project called "Another Thousand Years" that's working to look after Miyajima and the Itsukushima Shrine.

Let's take a look at some other countries with a tourist tax.

Barcelona

Barcelona is increasing the tourist tax for visitors in 2023 and 2024. They already had to pay a tax, but now it's going up. In April 2023, it became €2.75, and in April 2024, it will increase to €3.25 (INR 284). This tax applies to people staying in designated tourist areas.

Thailand

In 2023, Thailand plans to introduce a tourist fee of 300 Baht (INR 673). The idea behind this fee is to use some of the money to take care of tourists, especially when their health insurance doesn't cover them. It will also help fund improvements to tourist attractions like the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

Olaho, Portugal

Starting this year, Olhao, a popular fishing town in Portugal, is charging visitors €2 (INR 174) per night between April and October. During the rest of the year, from November to March, this fee will be reduced to €1 (INR 87) per night. The tax doesn't apply to children under 16 and is limited to a maximum of five nights per trip, which means a maximum of €10 (INR 874).

Similar tourist taxes are already in place in other places in the Algarve region, like Faro (€1.5 per night for up to seven nights between March and October) and Vila Real de Santo António (€1 per day for up to seven days).

Venice, Italy

Venice will start requiring day-trip tourists to pay a fee of INR 437 in 2024. The money will be used for purposes such as cleaning, maintenance, and making life more affordable for the residents.

European Union

Starting in 2024, non-EU citizens like Americans, Australians, and British people will need to pay €7 (INR 612) to apply for entry into the European Union. If you're under 18 or over 70, you won't have to pay this fee.

Valencia, Spain

Valencia plans to raise the tourist tax in late 2023 or early 2024. Travelers will now pay between 50 cents and €2 (INR 216) per night, depending on where they stay, for up to seven nights. This tax applies to all tourists, whether they stay in hostels, hotels, apartments, or campsites.

All the money collected will be used to enhance the living conditions for the local residents, including cleaning, maintenance, and reducing living expenses.