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On November 29, Hideyuki Watanabe, mayor of Fujikawaguchiko town in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, announced further measures to prevent tourists from crossing the street to take photos in front of the Lawson convenience store. Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) reported that local authorities will install additional barriers, approximately 6 meters long and 80 centimeters high, along the sidewalk opposite the convenience store to deter people from taking pictures.
Authorities said they wanted to encourage visitors to obey traffic laws instead of crossing the road recklessly, endangering property and lives. Sources at the town office revealed that Lawson's store had agreed to allow authorities to erect barriers.
The large crowds of tourists checking in are causing many disruptions to the daily lives of local residents.
According to SCMP, last month, the town of Fujikawaguchiko, located in Yamanashi Prefecture and famous for its spectacular views of Mount Fuji, became crowded with tourists seeking to take photos with the iconic mountain. In particular, a convenience store with the mountain in the background unintentionally became a popular photo spot. Because so many tourists took selfies in front of the store, authorities erected a 2.4-meter-high barrier to block the view of the sacred mountain.
This is a hot spot that no one wants to miss.
"It's regrettable, but we have to do this because some tourists don't respect the rules," a town official told AFP, adding that traffic signs and warnings from security personnel haven't helped improve the situation.
On the other hand, a tour operator offering day trips from Tokyo to Mount Fuji revealed to AFP that they would take tourists to another nearby Lawson store, which also offers similar views, but with fewer residents living in the surrounding area.
Local authorities used a black screen to conceal it, but this was not a long-term solution.
Previously, in May 2024, the Fujikawaguchiko town office erected a tarpaulin barrier on the sidewalk opposite the convenience store to prevent tourists from stopping to take photos or crossing the road without permission. However, in mid-August, they had to remove the barrier due to Tropical Storm Ambi. After the barrier was removed, the problem of tourists flocking to take photos reappeared. The town office then stated that they would decide whether or not to reinstall the barrier depending on the level of tourist gatherings and uncivilized behavior.
Despite employing various measures to address the situation, they remain ineffective given the ever-increasing number of tourists visiting Japan.
Japan is currently experiencing a record number of tourists. But, like many other tourist hotspots around the world, such as Venice – which recently implemented a daily entrance fee for visitors – this influx of international tourists is not being welcomed by many locals.
Specifically, residents living near other popular photo spots in the area, including the Fuji Dream Bridge, have frequently complained about overcrowding in recent weeks. Furthermore, even in Japan's solemn ancient capital of Kyoto, local businesses have repeatedly criticized international tourists for harassing the city's famous geishas. All these highlighted issues have forced local authorities to take action, establishing new restrictions and regulations for visitors.
