Japan’s Mount Fuji Town takes extreme measures to combat tourist misbehavior.
The idyllic town of Fujikawaguchiko, nestled at the base of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, is grappling with a persistent challenge: an influx of ill-mannered tourists defying traffic rules and leaving behind a trail of trash.
Despite repeated warnings and security measures, the situation has escalated to the point where authorities have been compelled to take drastic action, as reported by CNN.
Officials in Fuji town have expressed dismay over the behavior of visitors, which they deem contrary to Japanese culture and traditions.
To address the issue, a massive net measuring 66 feet across and 8 feet high will be erected early next week.
Located just 62 miles west of Tokyo, Fujikawaguchiko has become a focal point of concern amid Japan’s broader struggle with overtourism.
Since the country reopened post-pandemic in late 2022, tourism has surged exponentially, reaching unprecedented levels by March 2024, with over three million foreign tourists recorded.
Mount Fuji, revered as a symbol of Japan and designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, draws a significant portion of these visitors.
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Masatake Izumi, a government official from Yamanashi prefecture, described overtourism as the foremost issue facing Mount Fuji, citing the proliferation of rubbish, escalating CO2 emissions, and reckless hiking practices.
“Overtourism – and all the subsequent consequences like rubbish, rising CO2 emissions and reckless hikers – is the biggest problem facing Mount Fuji,” he said.
As Japan’s Mount Fuji Town takes extreme measures to combat tourist misbehavior, the mountain, known as Fuji-san in Japanese, stands at an imposing height of 3,776 meters (12,388 feet) and holds deep cultural significance for the nation.
Nevertheless, some nearby residents have taken to dubbing it “trash mountain” due to the alarming accumulation of waste.
