Free for all! Hinoki Land in Chiang Mai brings Japan experience to Thailand

 

Picture: Chiang Mai News

 

The Hinoki Land park in Chai Prakarn district of Chiang Mai is opening its doors free of charge to Thais and foreign tourists from tomorrow until September. 

 

The facility had a dual pricing policy from last November until today. They charged 180 baht for Thais and 230 for non-Thais. Children's prices were 50 and 70 baht. 

 

Owner Anirut Jungsutprasert made a video - reported on by Chiang Mai News - that stated that Thais would not be charged admission. No mention was made of non-Thais.

 

Chiang Mai News said he had made millions of baht from admission fees and would now be keeping to a promise not to charge and to henceforth make money in other ways like the sale of products. 

 

Though they did report his original promise was to stop charging when he had made 20 million baht from entrance fees and he had now made 40 million. 

 

Picture: Chiang Mai News

 

 

Anirut imported 1,000 "sakura" or Cherry Blossom trees from Japan that are expected to be in full bloom from March 10th. The site features many other Japanese attractions including constructions made from fragrant Japanese wood. 

 

Concerned that the offer of a free visit may not apply to non-Thais given the facility's history of dual pricing Thaivisa contacted them.

 

We were assured over the phone that all people could visit Hinoki Land for free until September. 

 

Source: Chiang Mai News

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-02-28

Visited once. Found it to be a garishly furnished and crudely comedic caricature of Japanese culture, most likely aimed at attracting locals who can't afford to get on a plane and visit the real thing. Hopefully the bathrooms are fixed now and no longer have liquid turd spilling over the rim onto the floor. Best thing about it was the drive up through the forests.

 

Such a shame they made it into a monstrosity. Would have been great had they done it in traditional Lanna style, but then I suppose it wouldn't attract thousands of locals wanting to take selfies with plastic trees in rented "kimonos".

I've been to Japan more than once.  I'll pass. Specially considering the dual pricing.  I might put up with that racism in national parks (and that's pretty seldom), but not from private businesses.  I won't support xenophobia in the private sector.  Ain't happening.

I lived in Japan for 15 years, and still have a home in Kyushu. I'll visit this place if for no other reason than I love Sakura. To be able to be in a park-like environment surrounded by Sakura in full bloom... there's just nothing like it!  ????