Ghost of Tsushima May Have Led to Bans

The Watazumi Shrine on Tsushima Island, Japan, has long attracted attention with the interest of international visitors. However, the temple administration unexpectedly closed its doors to foreign tourists. It is stated that the reason for this decision is the intense interest the temple has received in recent years and the inappropriate behavior of some visitors. So how does this incident relate to Ghost of Tsushima?

The Ghost of Tsushima Effect

The Watazumi Shrine became known worldwide with the Ghost of Tsushima game released in 2020. The fact that the Scarlet Rock Shrine in the game was inspired by the Watazumi Shrine has made it a center of attraction for both gamers and tourists. When the temple was severely damaged by a super typhoon in 2020, it was repaired with a donation campaign from international fans that raised $180,000.

However, popularity has also brought problems. The temple management stated that they were disturbed by the “disrespectful behavior” that has increased in recent years. In a statement made on social media, it was stated that there was “unforgivable disrespect” and that this situation has put the management in a serious difficult situation.

The Watazumi Temple had previously imposed a ban on South Korean tourists. Now, this ban has been extended to all foreign visitors. The temple’s decision is particularly associated with the popularity of the Ghost of Tsushima game. It is thought that the temple, which gained great fame thanks to the game, has become a target due to the intense interest.

This situation has brought the balance between the protection of cultural and religious symbols and tourism back to the agenda. The Watazumi Temple’s decision continues to cause debate among both tourists and locals.

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