Japan restricts access to the iconic Mt. Fuji view to Curb Tourist influx

• The barrier was prompted by complaints about jaywalking and littering tourists.
• The town of Fuji Kawaguchiko has seen a surge in tourism, with arrivals reaching a record three million in March and April.
• Despite the screen’s purpose to deter tourists, it is not achieving its goal.

A group of tourists wheels their bulky luggage through the crowds, searching for the perfect shot. They gather on a pavement opposite a convenience store, but this is no ordinary store. Behind it rises Japan’s highest summit, the majestic Mount Fuji.

The snowy 3,776-meter peak forms a stunning backdrop for those seeking their next favorite selfie or Instagrammable moment. The visitors got what they wanted—just in time.

A few weeks later, this morning, that view is gone. A black mesh screen, about the length of a cricket pitch, now obscures the once-busy vantage point on the pavement.

Local complaints about jaywalking and littering tourists prompted the installation of the barrier.

The picturesque town of Fuji Kawaguchiko has felt the impact of a surge in tourism. Arrivals to Japan crossed a record three million in March and April, driven by a weak yen and a post-pandemic travel boom.

The screen represents a desperate move and signifies Japan’s struggle to accommodate this influx of visitors while safeguarding its streets, famous spots, and unique way of life.

Fuji Kawaguchiko has experienced an eventful Tuesday.

Japanese officials had announced in late April their intention to install a screen – but the hour of installation brought more attention to this rural corner of central Japan. As workers fixed poles and hung up wires to hold the screen, they found themselves surrounded by a scrum of cameras. Tourists also gathered, curious to capture the hubbub.

Despite its purpose to keep them away, the screen isn’t achieving that goal – yet.

Around us, visitors are pondering its effectiveness. “It may work for a few days. But I’m sure someone will make a hole [in it] and take a picture at some point,” says Kazakh tourist Yuri Vavilin.

Disappointed he missed the crucial shot, he plans to return tomorrow and attempt to capture it from either end of the screen.

65-year-old Kazuhiko Iwama, who has lived his entire life in Fuji Kawaguchiko, finds this dedication surprising. His house sits opposite the ubiquitous convenience store, with its fluorescent lights and famous blue sign that says Lawson.

“I see it every day from my window, so I don’t have much to say about it,” he says, looking at the volcano that draws tourists from around the world. “I guess I take it for granted.”

Many have dubbed it a “very Japanese” scene – the banal Lawson shouldering such a spectacular view. It is even known online as “Mount Fuji Lawson”.

Mr. Iwama isn’t convinced the screen would deter the most determined of tourists. With the pavement gone, he fears more of them will step onto the street to take pictures.

He asserts this is precisely the problem – he wouldn’t mind tourists if they followed the rules.

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