One Japanese town is taking steps to prevent overcrowding at a popular Mount Fuji photo spot, fed up with tourists’ poor behaviour, by installing an enormous barrier and blocking their view.
Next week in Fujikawaguchiko town, an enormous barrier measuring 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long will go up. Officials view it as regrettable yet necessary action.
Foreign tourists in particular have caused problems for local communities by littering and disobeying rules, particularly traffic regulations. This has prompted action similar to what was taken earlier this year in Kyoto.
Japan has experienced an increase in tourism, welcoming over 3 million visitors just in March alone. Mount Fuji, its highest peak, draws many people. It is especially renowned for attracting international tourists who visit its scenic slopes.
Social media posts about the area have attracted large crowds who congregate around it and spill onto the road. Tourists have even begun parking illegally near an adjacent dental clinic and climbing onto its roof for photos – with many even parking without permission and climbing onto its roof!
The town hopes the barrier will ease overcrowding issues, though many residents express regret at having to resort to such measures. Plans call for maintaining it until overcrowding improves.
Overtourism has become an increasing global problem, including Japan. To combat it, measures like charging hikers to climb Mount Fuji and restricting tourist numbers have been implemented.
Instagram and other photo-sharing applications such as Flickr have made some spots overnight photo hotspots. Unfortunately, however, many of these places lack the infrastructure necessary to handle an influx of people; trampling flowers, vandalism to buildings, and road blocks often become major problems when this sudden influx occurs.
Venice, Italy announced this week that they will introduce a EUR5 per day tourist tax for daytrippers and the reaction has largely been negative.