Facing criticism from local residents over the inappropriate behavior of foreign visitors, the municipal administration has decided to erect a massive black net to partially block the view of the iconic mountain.
This action was driven by the growing popularity of Fujikawaguchiko on social media, particularly Instagram, where photos of Mount Fuji have become an obsession for many travelers.
Although this measure is regrettable, local authorities felt it was necessary to preserve the region’s natural beauty and restore peace for the residents. The partial blocking of Mount Fuji’s most popular viewpoints is expected to discourage tourists visiting solely for photos, encouraging a more genuine and respectful appreciation of the landscape.
The small town of Fujikawaguchiko, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, has become the center of international controversy in recent weeks. A specific viewing spot in the town, situated at the foot of Mount Fuji and near the starting point of one of the mountain’s most popular hiking trails, has attracted such a large number of visitors that it began causing serious problems for local residents.
A notable example is the Ibishi Dental Clinic, located in a building adjacent to the site frequently used for photography. The clinic’s staff and patients have faced constant disruptions due to tourists’ behavior. According to a statement issued by the clinic, the issues include illegal and bothersome activities such as littering, trespassing, smoking, and eating in the parking lot, as well as climbing onto private property rooftops. These incidents often require police intervention.
“There have been a series of illegal and disruptive activities, such as littering, trespassing, smoking, eating in parking lots or under the rooftops of private houses, and climbing rooftops, which often resulted in police intervention,” the statement noted. “It has become common for people to shout insults at us or throw lit cigarettes when we ask them to move their cars.”
In response to this growing situation, the municipal administration of Fujikawaguchiko decided to erect a massive black net to partially block the view of Mount Fuji, hoping to deter inappropriate tourist behavior and protect the residents’ quality of life.
Although this measure is regrettable, local authorities believe it is necessary to preserve the region’s natural beauty and restore peace for the residents. It is expected that the partial blocking of Mount Fuji’s most popular views will discourage tourists who visit only for photos, fostering a more conscious and respectful appreciation of the scenery.
The situation described in the clinic’s statement further highlights the challenges faced by the small town of Fujikawaguchiko due to overtourism. The photographic spot in question attracts a constant flow of foreigners from early morning until late at night, making it difficult for local residents to communicate with them, even when warning them in Japanese.
The Ibishi Dental Clinic is one of the businesses that has asked the Fujikawaguchiko municipal government to address this issue. The need for intervention by local authorities underscores the severity of the disruptions caused by the uncontrolled influx of tourists.
These problems are not unique to Fujikawaguchiko; they are part of a broader phenomenon of overtourism in Japan since the country reopened to foreign tourists after the pandemic. So-called “revenge travelers” have flooded the country and its most popular attractions. In March and April 2024, over three million people visited Japan each month, and the record-breaking trend seems to be continuing as North American and European tourists plan their summer vacations. This sudden and significant increase in tourism has created a range of challenges for local communities, from infrastructure pressure to a decline in residents’ quality of life.
While overtourism is a global issue, affecting destinations such as Paris and Hawaii, Fujikawaguchiko’s story stands out for specific reasons. In this town, it is not a traditional tourist attraction that draws crowds but rather a simple viewpoint where people take photos of Mount Fuji. This spot is located in front of a convenience store, and visitors frequently crowd the road in search of the best angle for their photos.
An aggravating factor is that most of these visitors choose not to stay overnight in Fujikawaguchiko. Instead, they prefer day trips, spending the night in bustling Tokyo, just 100 kilometers away. This means Fujikawaguchiko experiences a constant influx of tourists throughout the day without the economic benefits of extended stays that could offset the disruptions caused.
Fujikawaguchiko’s story is particularly notable because it illustrates how even seemingly less touristy areas can be deeply affected by excessive visitors. The popularity of social media, particularly Instagram, has transformed a simple viewpoint into a massive attraction. People come exclusively to capture the perfect view of Mount Fuji, often disregarding the impact of their presence on the local community.
In addition to the previously mentioned problems, such as littering, property trespassing, and disrespectful behavior, the constant presence of tourists also disrupts residents’ daily lives. The Ibishi Dental Clinic exemplifies this impact by reporting harassment and communication difficulties with tourists, highlighting the growing frustration among residents.
To mitigate these problems, the Fujikawaguchiko municipal administration decided to erect a 20-meter-long black screen to partially block the view of Mount Fuji. This measure, though deemed regrettable by authorities, is seen as necessary to restore tranquility and quality of life in the town. The hope is that the visual obstruction will deter tourists who come solely for photos, promoting more conscious and respectful tourism.
Fujikawaguchiko’s case serves as a warning to other locations facing similar challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustainable tourism management that considers both the preservation of natural attractions and the well-being of local communities.
This situation highlights that the local economy does not benefit from the influx of visitors, as there is no significant revenue generated through entrance fees, museum passes, or hotel taxes. These resources could help offset the damage caused by thousands of tourists, such as erosion, litter, and traffic issues. The town of Fujikawaguchiko, with only 10,000 residents, has faced significant challenges in managing these issues.
Haruhito Tsuchiya, a 49-year-old local resident working in the tourism industry, reported various problems caused by tourists to Reuters. “I’ve seen people walking on roads, riding electric scooters without following traffic rules, and getting into accidents. There have been many accidents involving foreign tourists recently,” Tsuchiya said, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Lawson convenience store, located in front of the Mount Fuji viewpoint and frequently featured in social media photos of the mountain, has also decided to take measures to control the flow of misbehaving tourists. The store is exploring ways to mitigate the negative impacts while continuing to serve both the local community and respectful visitors.
Blocking the view of Mount Fuji is an attempt to reduce the influx of tourists visiting the spot solely to take photos. While this measure is unfortunate, local authorities see it as necessary to restore tranquility and quality of life for residents. By discouraging problematic visitors, the hope is to foster more conscious and sustainable tourism that respects both the region’s natural beauty and the community’s daily life.
Fujikawaguchiko’s story illustrates a growing problem faced by many small tourist destinations worldwide, where social media popularity can quickly transform a tranquil spot into an overwhelmed destination. The need for effective tourism management strategies is crucial to balance economic benefits with environmental preservation and residents’ well-being.
“We sincerely apologize to local residents, customers of these stores, and others for causing inconvenience and concern due to the popularization of the Kawaguchiko Station branch of Lawson,” the company stated in a May 5 release.
Additionally, Lawson announced that it would take further steps to address the issues stemming from overtourism. The company plans to hire private security guards for the Kawaguchiko store and install multilingual signs requesting tourists not to litter or block the roads. These actions aim to promote more responsible behavior among visitors and help mitigate the negative impacts of uncontrolled tourism on the local community.
