Fed Up With Tourists, A Japanese Town Just Blocked The View Of Mount Fuji
On average three million people climb Mount Fuji in the two months between July and August every year. Many towns around Mount Fuji have also attracted large numbers of tourists as they offer the best view of the mountain.
Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain is also one of the most visited places in the country. On average three million people climb Mount Fuji in the two months between July and August every year, when it is open to trekkers from around the world. Over the years, many towns around Mount Fuji have also attracted large numbers of tourists as they offer the best view of the mountain.
REUTERS
Town blocks view of Mount Fuji
But now, one of them, Fujikawaguchiko seems to have had enough of tourists and is erecting a 2.5-meter-high barrier to block the view of Mount Fuji.
The resort town, famous for its perfect view of Mount Fuji, just blocked it with a metal mesh, in the hope that it will reduce the flow of tourists there.
REUTERS
How Fujikawaguchiko became famous
It all began a few years ago when photos of Mount Fuji taken from the front of a local convenience store called Lawson went viral on social media, attracting many more tourists to click the same.
Also read: Horrifying Amount Of Garbage Pile Up At Mt. Everest Campsite
According to reports, Fujikawaguchiko took the extraordinary step after rising complaints by locals and businesses about too many tourists there.
Tourists become troublemakers
Officials and residents say while the town welcomes visitors, they need to stop tourists from continuously crossing the street, ignoring red lights, littering, trespassing, illegally parking and smoking outside of designated areas.
AFP
"It is not that we do not want people to see Mount Fuji. The issue is that there are so many people who are not able to observe basic rules," a town official told AFP.
"It became not uncommon for people to yell at us when we asked them to move their cars, and for them to throw their lit cigarettes (on the ground)," a dentist's office located across the street from the Lawson shop said.
Also read: Japan Introduces e-Visa For Indian Tourists
AP
It is not just Mount Fuji, many of the world's most famous tourist destinations are facing the issue of overtourism and are struggling to deal with the influx of visitors.
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