TOKYO — Sorry, the display screen is now up — no extra snapping cute photographs of Mount Fuji from a preferred sidewalk spot within the Japanese city of Fujikawaguchiko.
Often called a spot that provides a number of the finest views of the enduring Japanese mountain, the city final month began erecting a big black display screen on a stretch of a avenue to dam the view and deter vacationers from overcrowding the place.
A very common photograph location was outdoors a Lawson comfort retailer, from the place {a photograph} taken at a specific angle would make it appear as if Mount Fuji was sitting atop the shop roof.
The vacationers, principally foreigners, even dubbed the spot “Mt. Fuji Lawson.”
However the townspeople have been sad — guests would block the slender sidewalk, take photographs on the busy highway or stroll into neighbors’ properties in pursuit of their shot, officers stated.
On Tuesday, development of the two.5 meter (8.2 ft) excessive black mesh web — stretching for 20 meters (66 ft) alongside the sidewalk — was accomplished.
Nonetheless, there are different locations vacationers can discover their candy photograph spot.
This week, Yamanashi prefecture, additionally residence to the Yoshida Path — the preferred of the 4 routes to summit the three,776-meter (12,300-feet-) excessive mountain — launched a reserving system forward of this 12 months’s Fuji climbing season to ease overcrowding, littering and security dangers.
Underneath the brand new plan, solely as much as 4,000 climbers can be allowed to enter the path per day for a climbing payment of two,000 yen (about $18), with an choice of donating a further 1,000 yen (about $9) for conservation in the course of the climbing season, which begins July 1 and runs till Sept. 10.
Solely these with reservation for an in a single day keep at huts alongside the path are allowed to hike past the fifth of the ten stations between 4 p.m. and three a.m., a measure to cease “bullet climbing,” or speeding to the summit with out enough relaxation, which officers say places lives in danger.
Designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage website in 2013, Mount Fuji was a spot of pilgrimage.
Right this moment, it is common amongst hikers who climb the summit to look at the dawn. However tons of trash left behind, together with plastic bottles, meals and even garments, have turn into a serious concern.
Over-tourism has additionally turn into a rising problem at different common vacationer locations reminiscent of Kyoto and Kamakura.
Final 12 months, Japan had greater than 25 million guests, and the figures in 2024 are anticipated to surpass almost 32 million, a file from 2019, in accordance with the Japan Nationwide Tourism Group.