Japan to install 2.5m barrier to block view of Mount Fuji due to inconsiderate tourists
Japanese authorities have decided to erect a 2.5-metre barrier at a popular photo spot to block Mount Fuji from view.
Source: Ricardo Trujillo on Flickr
This comes after inconsiderate foreign tourists were found to have disrespected rules and regulations to snap pictures of the iconic scenery.
The mesh net’s installation will commence as early as next week, a Fujikawaguchiko town official told AFP News.
Decision to erect barrier comes after tourists overcrowd site near Mount Fuji
In Fujikawaguchiko, a Lawson convenience store has gained fame as ‘Japan’s most famous Lawson’ due to its strategic location right in front of the volcano.
@kaewkao.p Mt. Fuji 🇯🇵 Location : Lawson at Kawaguchiko Station #reels #travel #ญี่ปุ่น ♬ New Home – Frozen Silence
As Lawson stores are widely frequented throughout Japan, many visitors see this particular site as embodying a uniquely Japanese charm.
Despite traffic signs and warnings, visitors continued to overcrowd the area.
Some even resorted to climbing the roof of the nearby dental clinic to snap pictures.
These inconsiderate actions ultimately prompted local authorities to erect a 2.5m-tall and 20m-wide barrier to maintain order.
“It’s regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can’t respect rules,” noted the official.
‘Overtourism’ dubbed the biggest issue plaguing Mount Fuji
In 2023, Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefectural government official told CNN Travel that “overtourism”, and by extension its related ‘byproducts’, is the biggest issue plaguing Mount Fuji.
The large spike in tourists, especially after pandemic restrictions were lifted, has given rise to a suite of problems.
These include littering, increased carbon dioxide emissions and unruly hikers.
Source: The Japan Times
To tackle overtourism, climbers using the Yamanashi Prefecture trail will be imposed a fee of ¥2,000 (S$17.40) from 1 July this year, The Japan Times noted.
There will also be a cap of 4,000 climbers per day.
Also read: Man Delivers Domino’s Pizza To Top Of Mount Fuji, Wows Twitter Users With Dedication
Man Delivers Domino’s Pizza To Top Of Mount Fuji, Wows Twitter Users With Dedication
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