The Yomiuri Shimbun has reported that the Agency for Cultural Affairs is asking 11 nationally run museums and art galleries to consider a dual pricing structure by charging more for foreign visitors. The agency claims public money is spent on multilingual support such as audio guides or explanatory panels. The new pricing will allow for a sustainable revenue structure with less reliance on public funds.
The targeted facilities include the Tokyo National Museum, National Museum of Western Art and the National Art Center.
Such a two tier pricing system is being considered in other tourist attractions around Japan; starting in March 2026, the Himeji Castle will raise the admission to 2,500 JPY while the citizens of Himeji CIty can continue to enter for the current fee of 1,000 JPY. The city had originally proposed to charge more only to foreign visitors but this was put off after potential operational issues such as ways to distinguish locals and foreign visitors at the entry gate.
Source: 国立博物館や美術館に「二重価格」要求へ