Fujikawaguchiko, a town at the foot of the Yoshida Trail to Mount Fuji in Japan, has taken drastic measures to combat the influx of tourists seeking the perfect selfie with the iconic mountain as the backdrop. The town has been overwhelmed by foreigners eager to capture the picturesque scene, particularly in front of a large Lawson convenience store where the contrast between the fluorescent-lit shop and the natural beauty of Mount Fuji is stark.
In response to the growing issue of overtourism and the negative impact on the environment, town officials have decided to install a massive mesh barrier to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji. This move is aimed at deterring the large crowds of tourists who often leave behind trash and struggle to follow traffic instructions.
Efforts to address the problem, such as posting signs and deploying security guards, have proven ineffective, prompting the installation of an 8-foot by 66-foot net. This barrier is set to go up next week in an attempt to manage the overwhelming number of visitors and preserve the natural beauty of the area.
The surge in tourism to Japan, especially following the end of the pandemic, has posed challenges for popular destinations like Mount Fuji, leading to issues like erosion and excessive littering. Local authorities have implemented new restrictions to mitigate these problems, including limiting daily hikers to 4,000 and introducing a mandatory fee of $13, which was previously optional.
The issue of overtourism is not unique to Japan, as other popular tourist destinations around the world are also grappling with the consequences of excessive visitor numbers. Venice, Italy recently imposed a fee for day trippers entering the City of Canals to address similar challenges related to overcrowding and environmental degradation.
In the United States, national parks have begun requiring reservations to manage overcrowding and protect the natural landscapes from the negative impacts of mass tourism. This trend of implementing measures to control tourist numbers reflects a global effort to balance the allure of popular destinations with the need for sustainable tourism practices.