The unassuming municipality discreetly dismantles its hindrance obstructing Mount Fuji.
In the vibrant town of Fujikawaguchiko, nestled at Mount Fuji's base, a unique photo opportunity emerged, featuring Mount Fuji as a backdrop against a local Lawson's convenience store outlet on the main street. This captivating sight gained considerable popularity on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, attracting an influx of tourists from worldwide destinations.
However, these enthusiastic visitors allegedly left trash behind and disregarded traffic regulations, despite the presence of signs and security personnel.
The town decided to implement a solution in May, installing a large, black net obstructing Mount Fuji's view. Surprisingly, city officials elected to remove the net on August 15, without announcing a specific return date. Initially, the decision to take down the net was due to the strong winds in the area, but now, city officials are in no rush to re-install the barrier.
A city councilor mentioned, "Since mounting the screen in May, we've noticed a significant decrease in the number of people staying in the area. It appears to have been effective."
Security guards remain patrolling the area, and the net can be re-installed if circumstances require it.
Before the net's installation, the Lawson's photo spot experienced such high demand that the establishment felt compelled to extend an apology for its popularity.
A neighboring building resident shared with CNN, "There was a wave of bothersome illegal activities, such as discarding garbage, trespassing, smoking, dining in parking areas, and loitering under private residents’ rooftops, to name a few. It wasn't unusual for visitors to hurl their lit cigarettes at us when we asked them to move their cars."
Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi prefecture, positioned east of Tokyo, boasts a population of approximately 10,000 individuals and serves as the starting point for one of Mount Fuji's most popular hiking trails.
Last year, officials outlined to CNN Travel that the deluge of tourist visits to Mount Fuji resulted in littering, overloading toilet facilities, and hiking with inappropriate gear, leading to accidents or injuries.
In response to these concerns, city officials implemented new safeguards to safeguard the mountain, including a daily cap on the number of climbers and a small entrance fee to assist with maintenance expenses.
CNN's Nodoka Katsura contributed to the reporting.
Visitors sharing the captivating Lawson's photo on social media platforms led to an increase in travelers to Fujikawaguchiko, seeking the unique news of Mount Fuji's backdrop. Despite the net obstructing Mount Fuji's view, tourists still flock to the area, eager for the chance to take their own news-worthy travel photos.
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