A Japanese shrine on Tsushima Island, restored through crowdfunding by Ghost of Tsushima fans, has now banned all non-worshipping visitors following a disturbing act of vandalism by foreign tourists.
Watatsumi Shrine, heavily damaged by a 2020 typhoon, was lovingly rebuilt thanks to donations inspired by the popular PlayStation game Ghost of Tsushima, which spotlighted the island’s rich history and culture. However, not all visitors have shown the same level of respect that helped restore it.
According to an official Instagram post (via Dexerto), on March 22, the shrine experienced what caretakers called “a grave and unforgivable act of disrespect […] committed by foreigner(s).” This incident caused significant distress among shrine staff, who reported suffering “unbearable mental anguish” as a result of the vandalism.
Caretakers expressed concern that the shrine itself was now at risk, prompting the decision to ban all tourists who are not visiting for religious worship. “We are grateful to those who helped restore this sacred site, but we must now protect it from further harm,” a spokesperson said.
This development is a painful reminder that cultural respect and preservation must go hand-in-hand with tourism. While the Ghost of Tsushima shrine ban may disappoint some, many support the move to safeguard this historic and spiritual landmark.
The ban underscores the importance of responsible travel and honoring the spaces that communities, both local and global, have worked so hard to protect.
Stay tuned with us for another updates!