Japan's World Heritage Search Ranking: Himeji Castle - International Interest in 'Shirasagi-jo' After Price Revision

Aun Consulting, Inc. conducted a survey on global interest in Japan's World Cultural Heritage site, 'Himeji Castle'. The top five countries and regions for searches were the United States, Taiwan, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. In the U.S., the top-ranked country, search volume remained high throughout the year, peaking in November 2025. In addition to 'Himeji Castle', the term 'Shirasagi-jo' (White Heron Castle) was frequently searched, indicating that the nickname is well-recognized. In Taiwan, the second-ranked region, searches peaked in March 2026, with specific queries related to Koko-en Garden, Engyo-ji Temple, food, cherry blossoms, and tickets. The survey shows that users are searching not only for the castle name but also for practical information like tickets and nearby attractions. 'Himeji Castle' serves as the primary gateway for recognition, while 'Shirasagi-jo' accounts for approximately 75% of the search volume of the official name, highlighting the strength of its nickname. Himeji Castle revised its admission fees on March 1, 2026, for preservation purposes. Search data shows that queries related to tickets and pricing increased by approximately 1.7 times in March 2026 compared to the previous month.