Town finds holes in screen built to prevent tourists taking photos of Mount Fuji
28 May 2024, 14:44
The town, a popular spot to view and photograph the famous mountain, put up the screen last Tuesday.
A Japanese town that erected a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from taking photos of Mount Fuji and overcrowding the area has discovered holes in the screen and is working to repair them, officials said.
Fujikawaguchiko, a popular spot to view and photograph the famous mountain, put up the screen last Tuesday, but the next day officials discovered a hole in it.
By Tuesday morning, officials had found around 10 similar holes, all at eye level, and all apparently just the right size to fit a camera lens through.
One especially popular viewing location is outside a Lawson store, from where photos taken at a certain angle would make it look as if Mt Fuji was sitting on top of the store roof.
Local residents have complained about visitors blocking the narrow pavement and walking into the busy road or onto neighbouring properties to get their shots, officials said.
The 8.2ft-high black mesh net stretches 66 feet.
The screen has helped ease congestion in the area, officials said.
Over-tourism has also become a growing issue at other popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto.
