The tourist information center on the island of Tsushima has recently introduced an engaging new feature: life-sized standees of Jin Sakai and the symbolic fox from the widely acclaimed video game, Ghost of Tsushima.
Developed by Sucker Punch Productions and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Ghost of Tsushima is an action-adventure game released in 2020. It follows the journey of Jin Sakai, a determined samurai striving to protect Tsushima Island during the initial Mongol invasion of Japan. Faced with a moral dilemma, Jin must choose between adhering to the samurai code of honor and employing pragmatic, yet dishonorable, tactics to minimize casualties. The game features an expansive open world that players can explore on foot or horseback, allowing them to engage enemies directly with a katana or use stealth strategies such as “the Ghost.”
Ghost of Tsushima was released for PlayStation 4 in July 2020. The game was a commercial success, selling over 9.73 million copies by July 2022. An expanded Director’s Cut, featuring the Iki Island expansion, was released for both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 in August 2021. A PC version, developed by Nixxes Software, became available in May 2024. The game’s success has led to the development of a film adaptation currently in progress.
In recognition of their contributions to promoting Tsushima and its culture, the creators of Ghost of Tsushima were appointed as tourist ambassadors of the island in 2021. The game’s popularity has significantly boosted tourism, with over 1 million copies sold in Japan alone. The recently installed standees of Jin Sakai and the fox at Tsushima’s tourist information center celebrate the game’s influence and its role in attracting visitors to the island.