Kyoto, Oct. 1 (Jiji Press)–Kyoto Mayor Koji Matsui announced plans Thursday to introduce a dual pricing system for visitors to the Nijo-jo castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the western Japan city, differentiating between locals and others. The admission fee for the castle and its Ninomaru-goten palace will be revised down to 1,000 yen from the current 1,300 yen for Kyoto citizens and raised to 2,000 yen for visitors from outside the city. The mayor unveiled the planned fee revision at the day’s plenary meeting of the Kyoto municipal assembly. The city government will submit a proposal to amend a related ordinance to the assembly in November, aiming to introduce the new fees in fiscal 2027. The increased portion of fee revenue will be used to cover the costs for the preservation and repairs of facilities at the castle, which is managed by the city government. Matsui also said that fares of municipally run bus services in the city will be reduced to 200 yen from 230 yen for Kyoto citizens and increased to 360 yen for other users. This change is also slated to take effect in the fiscal year that starts in April 2027. The fares will be lowered to 260 yen for people who use Kyoto city buses 16 times or more a month to travel to the city for commuting or visiting medical facilities from other areas and to 320 yen for those using them eight to 15 times, in order to ease the financial burden on such customers. These dual pricing schemes are aimed at addressing overtourism. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
