TOKYO Mt Fuji — I’m Sorry, but the screen is now up, so there will be no more lovely images of Mount Fuji from a popular sidewalk area in Fujikawaguchiko, Japan.
Known for having some of the best views of the famed Japanese mountain, the town began building a giant black screen over a length of street to obstruct the view and dissuade tourists from crowding the area.
A popular photo spot was outside a Lawson convenience shop, where a shot taken from a specific perspective made it appear that Mt. Fuji was resting on the store’s roof.
No More Cute Snaps Of Mt Fuji. A Screen Is Up In A Japanese Town To Prevent Tourist Crowds
The tourists, usually foreigners, dubbed the location “Mt. Fuji Lawson.”
However, according to officials, the villagers were dissatisfied because visitors would obstruct the tiny sidewalk, take photos on the busy road, or stroll into neighbors’ yards in search of their shot.
The erection of the 2.5 meter (8.2 foot) high black mesh net, which stretches 20 meters (66 feet) along the sidewalk, was completed Tuesday.
Still, there are other locations where travelers might discover a perfect photo opportunity.
The Yamanashi prefecture, which also includes the Yoshida Trail, the most popular of the four ways to top the 3,776-meter (12,300-foot) high mountain, has implemented a booking system ahead of this year’s Fuji climbing season to alleviate overcrowding, littering, and safety issues.
According to the new proposal, only 4,000 climbers will be permitted to enter the trail per day for a hiking charge of 2,000 yen (about $18), with the option of paying an additional 1,000 yen (about $9) for conservation during the climbing season, which begins July 1 and ends September 10.
No More Cute Snaps Of Mt Fuji. A Screen Is Up In A Japanese Town To Prevent Tourist Crowds
Only those who have reserved an overnight stay at one of the trail’s huts are permitted to go past the fifth of the ten stations between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m., a provision intended to prevent “bullet climbing,” or speeding to the summit without proper rest, which officials claim endangers life.
Mt. Fuji, designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, was once a pilgrimage destination.
Today, hikers go to the summit to see the sunrise. However, the massive amount of waste left behind, which includes plastic bottles, food, and even clothing, has become a serious worry.
No More Cute Snaps Of Mt Fuji. A Screen Is Up In A Japanese Town To Prevent Tourist Crowds
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, Japan received more than 25 million visitors this year, and the figure is predicted to exceed roughly 32 million in 2024, breaking the previous record set in 2019.
SOURCE – (AP)
