Watch: Japanese cities block views of Mount Fuji to discourage tourists

The Lawson store has become a popular photo spot for tourists. Photo: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP

Kikue Katsumata, 73, has lived here all his life. Fujikawaguchiko said, “I am very happy that foreigners come to our city, but when it comes to taking photos from Lawson, the road is a little narrow and it can be dangerous when people cross the road without crossing the crosswalk.

March and April set records for visitor arrivals, driven by pent-up demand after the pandemic and the yen's plunge to a 34-year low, making Japan a bargain.

Good news for economy is that travelers spent a record 1.75 trillion yen (£6.9 billion) in the first three months of 2024, according to the travel agency.

The drastic decision to close the view of Mount Fuji follows tensions across the country as Japan comes to grips with the consequences of its tourism boom.

The western city of Osaka and the hot spring resort town of Hakone are among municipalities considering new tourism taxes to combat flooding. visitors.

Officials installed the barrier after tourists began disturbing the area. Photo: FRANCK ROBICHON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Cyril Mulchand, a 45-year-old visitor from France, learned about the fence on the Internet and made a special trip to be one of the last to see the species. He said he sympathized with local residents.

“When I see that there can be problems with people crossing the road without watching for cars, I don’t think it’s such a bad thing that they put this fence,” he said.