Tourists Banned from Ghost of Tsushima Shrine After “Unforgivable” Act

A shrine once saved by gamers has now turned its back on them—and everyone else. The Tsushima Watazumi Shrine, which rose to internet fame after Ghost of Tsushima fans helped raise over 27 million yen to restore its iconic Torii gate, has officially banned all tourist visits. That’s right: doors shut, camera rolls over, everyone out.

Once considered a shining example of the beautiful connection between gaming communities and real-world culture, the Watazumi Shrine is now at the center of controversy after what its custodians are calling a “grave and unforgivable act of disrespect” on March 23rd. The perpetrator? A tourist. Possibly foreign. Details? Murky. Mood? Not good.

For those unfamiliar, this shrine sits on Tsushima Island in Japan—a location deeply entwined with the Ghost of Tsushima game. When the sacred Torii gate was damaged by a typhoon in 2020, fans of the PlayStation hit stepped in with a crowdfunding campaign. It was supposed to be a feel-good story. And it was—for a time.

From Celebration to Closure: What Went Wrong?

Fast forward a few years, and the shrine that gamers helped revive has essentially pulled a hard reset. In a statement posted to its social media accounts, the shrine explained that going forward, only worshippers will be permitted. Tourists, both domestic and foreign, are out of luck.

While the shrine didn’t go into specifics about the recent disrespectful act, the tone of the message speaks volumes. “Inbound tourism’s destruction of places, things, and people cherished by the Japanese is nothing less than the destruction of Japanese culture,” the statement reads. That’s not a vague finger wag—that’s a slam dunk rejection of what’s become of pilgrimage-style tourism. In short, people came for the ‘gram, not the grace.

The Ugly Side of Shrine Hopping

This isn’t the first time Watazumi Shrine has had to put its foot down. In fact, it previously barred South Korean tourists after a string of unpleasant incidents involving vandalism and staff harassment. So, this total ban feels more like a last-resort solution than a snap decision.

It’s a reminder that some sacred spaces simply aren’t made for tourism, especially the selfie-stick-swinging kind. Shrines aren’t photo ops or anime backdrops—they’re still functioning religious spaces with deep cultural significance. And sometimes, as much as we love to see our favorite games intersect with reality, fandom can cross the line from celebration into disruption.

Ghost of Tsushima’s Role in All of This

Of course, this whole saga wouldn’t exist without Ghost of Tsushima, a game that not only made Tsushima Island internationally famous but also painted a reverent, romanticized version of it. The game inspired legions of fans to learn more about Japanese history and culture—and for a while, it felt like a rare, positive example of games influencing real-world goodwill.

Players didn’t just fund the gate repair—they donated with purpose. The shrine even honored two of the game’s developers, Jason Connell and Nate Fox, by making them official tourism ambassadors. It was a wholesome victory for gamers everywhere. But now that same spotlight seems to have burned too bright.

Tourist Etiquette in Japan? Level Failed.

Japan is no stranger to tourism backlash. In recent years, as inbound travel numbers soared, some cities and towns have faced challenges balancing hospitality with heritage preservation. Kyoto residents have pleaded for tourists to stop chasing geishas down alleyways. Mount Fuji had to install barriers to prevent photo-happy tourists from blocking roads. And now, Watazumi Shrine has closed its gates for good.

Gaming-inspired travel has become a trend—from Assassin’s Creed fans touring Florence rooftops to Zelda players visiting the actual Hyrule-esque Himeji Castle. But the cultural connection is only valuable when it’s respectful. Ubisoft even recently toned down shrine destruction in Assassin’s Creed Shadows after fan backlash over the idea of turning sacred spaces into in-game playgrounds.

So, What Now for the Shrine and the Gamers Who Loved It?

For now, unless you’re showing up with incense and a genuine desire to worship, you’re not getting in. While it’s disheartening for the gaming community—especially those who contributed in good faith—the shrine’s decision stands as a necessary boundary.

Perhaps it’s time for a little introspection. Games can inspire us to explore the world beyond our screens, but that world comes with real people, rules, and history. And when a shrine, saved by fans, ends up banning them, maybe it’s time to reconsider how we express our admiration.

We can still cherish what Ghost of Tsushima gave us—an emotional, meditative journey steeped in myth and meaning. We just don’t have to trample the real-world counterpart in the process.