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Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan, has long been a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. However, in recent years, the influx of tourists seeking to take photos for social media has been causing negative consequences, impacting the lives of local residents and damaging the image of this iconic mountain.
The haphazard parking of vehicles, pedestrians crossing the road illegally, and even people standing in the middle of the road to take photos cause traffic congestion and endanger road users. Trash carelessly dumped by tourists surrounds Mount Fuji, detracting from its natural beauty. Tourists trample on plants and flowers, and even climb dangerous rocks to take pictures, causing damage to the surrounding environment.
Mount Fuji, a famous tourist symbol of Japan.
Therefore, Japanese authorities have erected barriers to block the view of Mount Fuji in order to reduce noise from the large crowds of tourists in the area, which affects the lives of local residents, and as a measure to protect this scenic spot.
Tourists disregarding the danger and breaking through barriers to take "Instagrammable" photos at Mount Fuji is an irresponsible act that needs to be condemned. Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and a famous tourist destination attracting a large number of visitors. Many tourists want to get the best photos there, so they disregard all regulations. One might think that after the barriers were put up, tourists would give up on the idea of checking in because they couldn't find the legendary photo spot. However, the area still receives a large number of tourists, and as a result, the mesh fence has been punctured despite police being on duty from 10 am to 4 pm daily.
This popular check-in spot has become so famous that it's "overwhelmed" with tourists.
Many tourists brave the dangers to come here just to take photos with Mount Fuji in the background.
Some tourists, disregarding the danger, bring chairs or even ladders to climb higher than the black tarpaulin covering the area, conveniently taking photos for social media. Tourists carrying chairs and ladders to climb above the tarpaulin, filming videos, and charging a fee for renting the ladder for photos is a violation of local regulations and demonstrates a lack of respect for the efforts of the local government and people to protect the landscape and environment.
To combat "ugly tourism," the authorities have erected barriers to prohibit actions that detract from the landscape.
The rapid spread of social media has made this behavior increasingly widespread, with many tourists imitating previous videos, spreading an "unattractive" culture. Tourists pushing and shoving, using bulky equipment to take photos, detracts from the area's aesthetics and negatively impacts the experience of other visitors. Climbing to high places to take photos can also be dangerous for themselves and others, especially when using unsafe equipment.
Many tourists even dared to drill holes in the fence to get a better view.
The wire fence is the last resort for town officials, after many other gentle measures were ignored by tourists. Officials are planning to add QR codes to the fence to promote other "check-in" spots in the area. If the influx of tourists flocking to the supermarket to photograph Mount Fuji decreases, the town may consider removing the fence.
Using "black screens" to obscure the popular "Instagrammable" photo spots at Mount Fuji is only a temporary solution and cannot fundamentally address the problem of tourists taking selfies and the negative consequences it causes. To achieve a long-term and sustainable solution, the cooperation of many parties is needed, including local authorities, tourists, and other stakeholders.
