Japanese Town To Erect Barrier To Block Mount Fuji Photo Spot Amid Overtourism

Authorities in a Japanese town are erecting a 2.5-meter-high barrier to block the view of Mount Fuji, blocking a photo spot that draws so many visitors that it has become a nuisance for locals.

Visitors are flocking to the town of Fuji-Kawaguchiko, about 50 kilometres southwest of Tokyo, to photograph two symbols of Japan: the majestic, sloping slopes of Mount Fuji and the convenience store, a sight that has gone viral on social media.

The crowds have led to complaints about garbage, road hazards and illegal parking. The 20-meter-wide black barrier designed to obscure the mountain is due to be completed by the middle of this month. The closure is the latest sign that Japan is grappling with an unprecedented surge in visitor numbers while the Japanese currency has fallen to a 34-year low.

The weak yen has made Japan an irresistible bargain for travellers, which is good for the economy, but the price creates friction with locals and concerns about “overtourism” in major cities and popular spots.

On Thursday, people ran into the streets, milling around and climbing poles to get a better view. At one point, a convenience store employee stormed out of the store and shouted at tourists to chase them away. “I’ve seen people running into the streets, people using electronic kickboards without observing traffic rules and getting involved in accidents. There have been a lot of accidents involving foreign tourists recently,” said 49-year-old local Haruhito Tsuchiya.

Mount Fuji, a 3,776-meter-high volcanic mountain revered as sacred by the Japanese, has long been a popular destination for domestic and foreign visitors. However, locals and officials complained of a rise in pollution, accidents and environmental damage during last summer’s crowded climbing season.

To counteract this, prefectural officials announced a series of hiking restrictions around Mount Fuji this year and a new hiking fee of 2,000 yen (Rs 1,076). Hotels and resorts across the country are also struggling to cope with demand after many workers left the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic.