The town of Kawaguchiko has witnessed a surge in tourist numbers, all clamoring for the ideal photograph of Mount Fuji. However, the inhabitants of Kawaguchiko have now reached their limit.
A town in Japan, renowned for its breathtaking vistas of the iconic Mount Fuji, is pushing back against the throngs of tourists.
Fujikawaguchiko, nestled in the northern foothills of the mountain, boasts numerous picturesque spots that offer magnificent views of the renowned landmark.
This week, however, the town has initiated the construction of a sizable, dark screen along a section of sidewalk to obscure the mountain’s view. The rationale behind this decision? Disruptive behavior by foreign tourists.
“Café proprietor Michie Motomochi remarks, ‘Kawaguchiko thrives on tourism, and we gladly receive numerous visitors, as does the town. However, there are several concerns regarding their conduct.'”
Motomochi highlighted issues such as littering, disregarding traffic rules by crossing busy roads, ignoring traffic signals, and encroaching on private properties.
Nevertheless, akin to numerous other business proprietors, she remains content. A staggering 80 percent of her clientele comprises foreign tourists, whose influx has escalated post-pandemic, during which Japan remained closed for approximately two years.
What prompted Fujikawaguchiko to install the screen?
The area experienced a sudden surge in popularity following the relaxation of COVID restrictions on tourism in Japan.
A photograph taken from a specific angle, capturing Mount Fuji in the backdrop as if perched atop a nearby convenience store, went viral on social media, attracting substantial crowds thereafter.
Presently, mostly foreign tourists inundate the compact vicinity, sparking a flurry of worries and grievances from locals regarding visitors obstructing narrow sidewalks, snapping photos on bustling roads, or trespassing onto neighbors’ premises, officials reported.
Similarly, in Europe, worries about tourists overwhelming historic cities prompted Venice to introduce a trial program last week, imposing a €5 entry fee on day-trippers.
Fujikawaguchiko has experimented with various methods, including multilingual signs advising visitors against darting into the street and encouraging the use of designated crosswalks, as well as employing a security guard for crowd management. Yet, none of these efforts have proven successful.
According to authorities, the remedy lies in the installation of the black mesh screen.
Scheduled for completion in mid-May, the screen will stand at 2.5 meters tall and stretch 20 meters in length, effectively obscuring the view of Mount Fuji.
Will the screen truly have an impact on the Fujikawaguchiko?
Even in the absence of a clear view of Mount Fuji due to cloudy weather, the town of Kawaguchiko finds itself inundated by throngs of tourists.
Some of the travelers visiting this week express skepticism about the necessity of the screen.
“Seems like too drastic a measure for a relatively minor issue, even if tourists are causing disturbances. It doesn’t sit well with me,” remarks Anthony Hok, hailing from France. He suggests that authorities focus on implementing road barriers for safety instead of obstructing views for photography.
Since the relaxation of pandemic-related border restrictions, foreign visitors have flocked to Japan, partly influenced by the weakened yen, the local currency.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, last year, Japan welcomed over 25 million visitors. This year, the number is anticipated to surpass the nearly 32 million recorded in 2019, setting a new record. The government is actively seeking to attract more tourists.
Although the flourishing tourism sector has provided a boost to the industry, it has also elicited grievances from residents in renowned tourist destinations like Kyoto and Kamakura. In Kyoto, a renowned geisha district recently opted to close certain privately-owned alleys.
Moreover, Motomochi expressed skepticism about how the black screen could effectively regulate the influx of people on the narrow pedestrian walkway and adjacent road. Whether the screen will dissuade eager tourists from visiting Kawaguchiko and encourage them to seek alternative methods to capture the perfect photo remains a matter of speculation
