Last month, the Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko erected a large black mesh barrier to block the iconic view of Mount Fuji from a popular photo spot. Now, another Japanese town is taking similar measures to manage tourist behavior and prevent disruptions caused by visitors seeking the perfect shot of Mount Fuji, according to the Independent.
Fuji City, which features ‘The Fuji Dream Bridge,’ plans to install a 1.8-meter-high metal mesh fence around the area. The scenic bridge on Route 139 in Shizuoka prefecture aligns perfectly with Mount Fuji’s outline and has recently become a social media sensation. While it serves as a regular overpass for locals, tourists are drawn to the dramatic view of Mount Fuji towering over the road and the stairs leading up to the roadside walkway.
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The Japan Times reported that residents have complained about foreign visitors venturing onto the road on the Mount Fuji Dream Bridge to capture the perfect photo of Japan’s highest peak. Haruhito Yoshizaki, a tourism official in Fuji City, mentioned that people have been jaywalking across the road to reach a space between the two lanes of traffic where they pose for photos, twirl for videos, or simply loiter.
City officials estimate that the number of visitors to the bridge has surged to over 100 on an average weekend day. Despite signs advising people to avoid the stretch of tarmac, many tourists have been entering the road. The influx of visitors has caused various issues in the community, including illegal parking, littering, noise disturbances, and even public defecation.
“It all began in December last year when a foreign influencer posted images on Instagram. The image quickly spread, and now almost all the people who visit the bridge are foreigners, not Japanese,” Miyu Toyama from the city government’s Exchange Tourism Division told the South China Morning Post.
Fujikawaguchiko, which installed a mesh barrier outside a convenience store last month, stated that while the town welcomes visitors, those who constantly cross the street, ignore red lights, park illegally, and smoke outside designated areas have been problematic. However, just a week after the black mesh screen was put up, tourists eager to see the volcano started poking holes through it. Fujikawaguchiko plans to reinforce the barrier with stronger material.
Record numbers of overseas tourists are visiting Japan, with monthly visitors surpassing three million for the first time in March and then again in April.
