They are used to tourists in Fujikawaguchiko. Too much. Too much for some. This town in Yamanashi Prefecture, less than an hour and a half’s drive from Tokyo, has stunning views of Fuji. So much so that the perspective of the iconic volcano offered by one of the streets caused a real stir on social networks, with hordes of visitors determined to take the best photo or take the best photo. selfie more magnificent. Interestingly, what caught the attention of tourists in Fujikawaguchiko today was not Fuji, but a group of workers who devoted themselves to erecting a fence from the first hour.

Its purpose is to obscure the view of the mountain, the ironies of life.

A treasure, a curse. A few weeks ago we talked to you about the Fujikawaguchiko issue. His case is a clear example of how a blessing can turn into a curse or how easy it is to die of success when it comes to tourism. The city, where approximately 26,500 people live, has a privileged view of neighboring Mount Fuji. And this, of course, attracts legions of tourists looking to get the best photo of one of Japan’s great icons.

Searching for 2022 selfie But the ideal began to rise until it almost turned into fire. after a while influencer After sharing a photo of a Japanese chain Lawson’s store with Fuji in the background, more and more tourists began searching for the exact location where the photo was taken in Fujikawaguchiko to replicate the photo. Reason: I liked the combination of Fuji and Lawson. Too much. “The idea has spread that this is a very Japanese place,” a municipal official told Agence France-Presse a few weeks ago.

A nuisance… dangerous. Nothing surprising so far. If things got complicated, it was for two reasons: First, the large number of tourists who began to flock to that particular area of ​​Fujikawaguchiko added the famous photo of the mountain with the Lawson store in the foreground. albums—there are already people talking sarcastically about “Fuji Lawson”—; and secondly, because some of these visitors have become a real nuisance for the local population.

There are those who throw garbage on the streets, obstruct traffic, ignore the instructions of the officials, park without permission… There are even those who climb to prohibited places to get an even more magnificent view of Fuji.

If you can’t handle them… Blocking views, as Fujikawaguchiko officials did. To avoid disturbances and security problems in the city, they took an unusual measure: abandoning their views on Fuji. At least from the street that attracts tourists because the mountain, which is actually 60 kilometers away, can be seen from other areas.

Covering the 3,776-meter-high Fuji would be a great achievement, so they chose the most practical option at Fujikawaguchiko: installing a 2.5-meter-high and 20-meter-long screen covering the views from the popular viewpoint.

An “anti-tourist” fence. After several delays, the display was installed today, Tuesday. He said the work started in the morning and started a few hours later. Japan Times, the “anti-tourist” fence had already been completed. The idea was for it to be long, practical and effective. Whether it was more or less aesthetic was secondary.

Images captured by local and international media covering the work show a simple screen made up of bars, a cable acting as a frame, and a black mesh. Ironically, he achieved the exact opposite of what he is looking for today: the works attracted the attention of reporters and curious onlookers.

“Someone will dig a hole”. Reactions from visitors and neighbors in Fujikawaguchiko yesterday were mixed. Kazakh tourist Yuri Vavilin admitted to the BBC that he would not be surprised if people who wanted to take a photo of “Fuji Lawson” went around the fence and looked for a way to look out with their cameras. “It might work for a few days but I’m sure at some point someone will dig a hole and take pictures,” he tells the British television channel.

Neighbor Kazuhiko Iwama, 65, who has a similar view and lives right in front of the store, also warns that curious onlookers may be encouraged to take more risks and venture out into the street to take photos. “They’re crossing the street and they don’t seem to care about the cars at all,” He already recalls. Before the screen, local authorities had already opted for other solutions, such as uploading alerts in English. There are also metal bars in the area to prevent dangerous crossings.

Mass tourism is in focus. The Fujikawaguchiko display has attracted attention within and outside Japan, but in reality it is another attempt by the country to combine the daily lives of its inhabitants with its enormous tourist popularity.

Coinciding with the weakness of the yen, the country has had two months with significant influx data of more than three million visitors, already marking a historic year for the industry. It’s not always easy to incorporate this “boom” into your routine and traditions. Japan recently announced restrictions on the geisha district in Kyoto; It also decided to charge a fee to ascend to Fuji via the popular Yoshida trail, which 60% of visitors use.

Image | Hans-Johnson (Flickr)

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