TOKYO – A barrier installed in Japan to block a popular view of Mount Fuji has been taken down after effectively deterring unruly tourists, a town official confirmed on August 20.
The town of Fujikawaguchiko erected the barrier in May following complaints from residents about large crowds, mainly foreign visitors, causing disruptions while trying to photograph Japan’s iconic volcano. The screen was taken down on August 15 ahead of a typhoon, and the town has decided not to reinstall it for now.
“We wanted to see what would happen,” a town official told AFP. “There are still some people who come to the place. But we no longer find many people suddenly rushing out into the traffic to cross the road.”
The location became a popular spot online for capturing photos of Mount Fuji rising majestically behind a convenience store, attracting numerous tourists to the narrow pavement outside a local dentist’s office. However, the influx of visitors also created safety concerns as people would dash across roads for the perfect shot.
The town’s efforts to manage unruly tourists gained international attention as Japan experienced record tourist numbers over the summer, sparking some opposition among locals. Although the barrier has been removed for now, the official stated that it can be reinstated if tourist behavior once again becomes problematic.