Mount Fuji view to be blocked in bid to deter tourists
By Alex Binley
One of Japan’s most iconic photo spots is to be blocked by authorities exasperated by badly behaved tourists.
A big black barrier is to be erected to obscure views of Mount Fuji.
Residents of Fujikawaguchiko accuse mainly foreign tourists of dropping rubbish and parking illegally as they search for the perfect photo.
The shot in question features a convenience store in the foreground, with Japan’s most famous landmark rising behind it.
The juxtaposition of the soaring volcano and the banal sight of one of Japan’s most ubiquitous shops have made Fujikawaguchiko a popular location for photos, with a local official telling AFP that the place had gained a “reputation that this spot is very Japanese”.
They added that the town in Yamanashi region was at its wits’ end over the behaviour, with some tourists even climbing on to roofs to get the perfect snap.
Construction of the mesh net which will be 2.5m (8ft) and 20m (65.6ft) – or the same length as a cricket pitch – will begin as early as next week, the official told AFP.
“It’s regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can’t respect rules,” they said.
