Ghost Of Tsushima Tourists Banned From Japanese Shrine

by

Due to an unfortunate incident involving a serious act of disregard, the renowned Tsushima Watazumi Shrine, cherished by Japanese history enthusiasts and Ghost of Tsushima game fans alike, has temporarily closed its doors to tourists.

The shrine holds a special significance for Ghost of Tsushima gamers, as it is believed to be the basis for the game’s Scarlet Rock Shrine. When Typhoon hit Watazumi Shrine in 2021, causing damage, fans from the game came together and donated an impressive 180 thousand dollars towards its restoration.

Typically, such an action would foster a strong, enduring bond. However, it appears that someone disagreed, resulting in Ghost of Tsushima players losing access to the shrine they had worked hard to rebuild.

As a gamer, I’ve encountered this shrine before, and it seems it’s no stranger to troublemakers. Automaton tells me they’ve already imposed a ban on South Korean tourists due to past incidents. They’ve even had chats with the police about inappropriate behavior – from staff harassment to outright vandalism. It’s a shame, as I’d love to appreciate this place peacefully.

The recent prohibition of tourism was shared on the Shrine’s Instagram account, however, they haven’t provided clear explanations about the specific action that led to this ban. They have mentioned the intense psychological distress experienced by their staff due to tourists, but the particulars are sparse and it seems likely that further details will not be disclosed.

Currently, only those attending services or worshiping may visit the shrine. Tourism of any kind, whether local or international, is strictly prohibited. However, it appears that the staff at the shrine are particularly displeased with the presence of foreign visitors.

The devastation of treasured locations, artifacts, and people adored by the Japanese through inbound tourism is essentially the annihilation of Japanese culture.

Furthermore, certain limitations have been imposed regarding taking pictures and videos. The activity might be prohibited based on its intended use.

The team made it clear on Instagram that individuals viewing this spot as merely an attractive backdrop for photos or a theme park aren’t considered devotees. While devotees are still allowed to snap pictures and capture videos, finding it aesthetically pleasing is no longer an acceptable motive for doing so.

Bridges Burn Between Japanese Shrines And Gamers

Eurogamer drew a parallel between these occurrences and the recent controversy surrounding Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla. Although unconnected, the timing of Ubisoft’s problems with the shrines couldn’t have been more unfortunate.

Initially, players in Assassin’s Creed Syndicate could inflict considerable harm on these hallowed sanctuaries, an action that sparked quite a bit of controversy.

The initial fix on day one effectively addressed the problem. Now, these sanctuaries can no longer be harmed. Furthermore, should any residents encounter violence, there will be no spilling of blood, ensuring that the area remains peaceful and undisturbed by conflict.

Read More

2025-03-25 20:09