– It is regrettable that we have to do this, because some tourists are unable to comply with the rules.
This is what an official in the Japanese city of Fujikawaguchiko, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the AFP news agency.
Livestreamed climbing trip: – I’m slipping!
Reputation on social media
Perhaps Japan’s most iconic landmark, Mount Fuji is a favorite photo-op for the ever-increasing masses of tourists visiting the country.
In recent months, tourists have flocked to Fujikawaguchiko to immortalize the country’s highest mountain, writes Time magazine.
HUGE INCREASE: Japan is currently experiencing a large influx of tourists. In March alone, over three million people visited the country. Here from the city of Fujiyoshida, where the authorities have had to post warnings not to stand in the middle of the street to take photographs. Photo: Nicolas Datiche / SIPA / Shutterstock / NTB
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But now the limit has been reached.
According to the person AFP spoke to, the tourists leave litter and ignore traffic rules. People have also climbed onto the roof of a local dental clinic, to get an even better glimpse of the mountain.
Fuji can be seen from many places in Japan, but in this particular city it is possible to get a picture of the mountain with a Lawson supermarket in the foreground.
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This kiosk chain can be found everywhere in Japan and is characterized as very Japanese, writes AFP.
– A rumor on social media that this place is very Japanese has made it a popular place to photograph, says the official.
Certain people must neither pay attention to signage nor messages from security guards. Tourists have also been observed climbing onto the roof, according to AFP.
ICONIC: Mount Fuji can be seen from several corners of Japan, and is the country’s highest mountain at 3,776 metres. Photo: Richard A. Brooks / AFP / NTB
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A canvas that has now been set up to prevent photo opportunities should have been the last resort, writes the news agency.
More tourist attractions
The action is taken at a time when Japan has to deal with large masses of tourists. In March, a new monthly record was registered, with over three million visitors, writes Time.
Many of the tourists also want to see Mount Fuji up close. This has led to queues of people up the mountain sides, littering, and a problem with hikers who are too poorly dressed for the conditions, writes CNN.
The comment section is boiling
In an attempt to control the masses, the region where the mountain is located therefore introduced a fee of 2,000 yen – equivalent to around 140 Norwegian kroner – per hiker. A ceiling of 4,000 hikers per day has also been introduced, according to the channel.
Last month, the city of Kyoto also had to take measures against tourists. Here, a ban was introduced on tourists in the city’s famous geisha district. In the narrow streets of the area, tourists are said to have both taken pictures of and photographed people who performed in traditional kimonos – despite warnings not to do this, according to Time.
