Disrespectful Foreign Tourists Force Closure of Japanese Shrine Fixed by Ghost of Tsushima Fans 1
Image: Push Square

This is the kind of story that makes our blood boil.

The Watazumi Shrine on Tsushima Island has been closed to all tourists following “a grave and unforgivable act of disrespect by foreigners”. There’s no information on what exactly occurred, but the incident which forced the closure is said to have unfolded on 23rd March.

The real-life shrine is famous among gamers after Ghost of Tsushima fans pulled together to raise ¥27 million (~$179k) to repair its iconic Torii gate, after it was destroyed by a typhoon.

Now only worshippers will be permitted entrance.

This is sadly not the first instance of foreigners vandalising historical Japanese property, and we doubt it’ll be the last. This kind of behaviour is not only deeply disrespectful, but it also ruins things for the many millions of foreign tourists who visit Japan every year.

“Inbound tourism’s destruction of places, things, and people cherished by the Japanese is nothing less than the destruction of Japanese culture," the shrine said in a strongly worded message.

“Those who consider this place a theme park or simply a photogenic location are not worshippers.”

[source instagram.com, via automaton-media.com]