Japan Town Blocks Mount Fuji View Due to Overcrowding by Troublesome Tourists

Fujikawaguchiko, a town located at the foot of Mount Fuji and home to three of the Fuji Five Lakes, has become the latest battleground in the growing conflict between local residents and tourists. In an effort to counter over-tourism, the town has decided to block the view of Mount Fuji by constructing a mesh net. The construction is set to begin next week, with the net standing at 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long, roughly the length of a cricket pitch. This move follows Japan's second direct step against over-tourism, after restrictions were placed on visitors to small private passageways in Kyoto's geisha area earlier this year. The issue of over-tourism has become increasingly pressing, with record numbers of overseas tourists visiting Japan, exceeding 3 million monthly visitors for the first time in March.