Japan's plan to block Mount Fuji view with net sparks outrage

The authorities of a Japanese town have erected a large, black net to obscure the view of the famous Mount Fuji. However, tourists were exceptionally displeased with this idea and made it clear. "It’s about manners. It’s a shame," said a security guard quoted by the AFP news agency.

The car park in front of a grocery store in Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture is one of the most popular places to photograph Japan's highest mountain. However, on May 20, at the request of locals annoyed by tourists littering and parking haphazardly, local authorities installed a screen made of dense netting measuring approximately 2.4 metres by 20.1 metres, aimed at obscuring the view of Mount Fuji. The authorities hoped this would solve the problem of tourists taking photos of the sacred mountain. However, it turned out differently.

As a city official admitted, holes appeared in the net on the first day. A week later, at least ten cuts were counted. "It’s about manners. It’s a shame," a security guard told the AFP news agency.

The city plans to repair the screen immediately and notify visitors not to touch it.

Previously, local officials tried to solve the problem by hiring security and putting up road signs, but nothing worked.

After lifting Covid-19 travel restrictions, Japan is experiencing a tourism boom. In March, for the first time in history, the number of tourists visiting the country exceeded three million.

At the beginning of this year, the authorities of Yamanashi Prefecture announced the introduction of a fee of approximately £10 for climbing Mount Fuji, citing the need to protect this place from excessive tourism.