Entry Prohibited for Tourists in Shrine Grounds... Koreans Cited as Cause
Video Posted of Korean Man Shouting Over 'Illegal Parking'
Watazumi Shrine in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, has prohibited entry to its precincts for everyone except worshippers and visitors since the 23rd. On the 24th, Sankei Shimbun reported that Watazumi Shrine announced via social networking service (SNS) posts that from the 23rd, entry to the shrine grounds is forbidden for all except worshippers and visitors. In the post, Watazumi Shrine stated that it is suffering due to Korean tourists littering and exhibiting violent behavior.
Watazumi Shrine in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, has prohibited entry to the shrine grounds for everyone except worshippers and visitors since the 23rd. On the 24th, Sankei Shimbun reported through social media posts that Watazumi Shrine has banned entry to the shrine grounds for all except worshippers and visitors starting from the 23rd. Watazumi Shrine Facebook
The shrine authorities have banned all entries for tourism purposes, including domestic and international bus tours, but said, "However, those who have reverence and properly worship are welcome to visit the shrine." They added, "Very serious and unforgivable acts of disrespect have been committed by foreigners," and appealed, "The sight of visitors destroying places and objects cherished by Japanese people and assaulting others is causing Japanese culture to collapse." They further emphasized, "Due to the unbearable mental anguish caused by shrine damage and verbal and physical abuse toward staff, all employees feel a crisis in shrine management," and stated, "We will express regret and take action to protect the shrine and the hearts of the people."
Tsushima Island, where the shrine is located, is only about 50 km from Busan. Due to the close distance, many Korean tourists visit this tourist destination. According to Sankei Shimbun, the shrine has been suffering from problems caused by Korean tourists such as smoking, littering, throwing stones, and excrement. In particular, it was reported that a shrine staff member was assaulted on the 22nd. The shrine posted on SNS a video showing a Korean man speaking in the Gyeongsang-do dialect shouting, "I'm not leaving, I'm not leaving, you XX," at a staff member who was trying to stop illegal parking near the shrine.
Watazumi Shrine in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, has prohibited entry to the shrine grounds for anyone other than worshippers and visitors since the 23rd. On the 24th, Sankei Shimbun reported through social media posts that Watazumi Shrine has banned entry to the shrine grounds for people other than worshippers and visitors starting from the 23rd. FNN
On the other hand, some Korean tourists who had visited the shrine expressed discomfort, claiming they experienced so-called "anti-Korean" behavior in response to the measures. One YouTuber said, "When I visited, they suddenly came out with brooms and chased me away in a high-handed manner as if picking a fight," and "They clearly said 'Get out!' in Korean, which was an unpleasant experience." Among these, messages recently conveyed by Watazumi Shrine through social media included referring to Korean tourists as "Joseonin (朝鮮人)" and mentioning the Dokdo issue (called Takeshima in Japan), which is a territorial dispute between Korea and Japan, leading to accusations of anti-Korean remarks.
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