Japanese Town Fences Bridge, Blocking Scenic Mount Fuji View

Last month, Fujikawaguchiko, a Japanese town, put up a large black mesh barrier to block the iconic view of Mount Fuji from a popular photo spot. Now, another town is following suit to deter tourists from causing trouble while trying to capture the perfect picture of Mount Fuji, the Independent reported. Fuji City, home to 'The Fuji Dream Bridge', plans to erect a 1.8-meter high metal mesh fence around the area to prevent disruptive tourists.

The scenic bridge on Route 139 in Shizuoka prefecture, which aligns perfectly with Mount Fuji, has become a social media hotspot recently. Although it is a regular overpass for locals, tourists are drawn to how Mt. Fuji looms large over the road and on the stairs leading up to the roadside walkway.

According to the Japan Times, residents have complained about foreign visitors venturing onto the road on the Mount Fuji Dream Bridge in search of the perfect shot of Japan's highest peak. Haruhito Yoshizaki, a tourism official in Fuji City, said people have been jaywalking across the road to reach a vacant area between the two lanes of traffic where they pose for photos, twirl for videos, or just loiter.

City officials estimate that the number of visitors to the bridge has risen to over 100 on an average weekend day. Despite signs telling people to stay off the stretch of tarmac, many tourists stray into the road. This influx of visitors has disrupted the community, with complaints of illegal parking, littering, loud noise, and even tourists defecating in public.

"It all began in December last year when a foreign influencer posted images on Instagram. The image soon spread, and now almost all the visitors to the bridge are foreigners, not Japanese," Miyu Toyama from the city government's Exchange Tourism Division told the South China Morning Post.

Fujikawaguchiko, which erected a mesh barrier outside a convenience store last month, stated that while the town welcomes visitors, those who cross the street non-stop, ignore red lights, park illegally, and smoke outside designated areas have proved a nuisance. However, just one week after installing the black mesh screen, tourists eager to see the stratovolcano started poking holes through it. Fujikawaguchiko plans to rebuild the barrier with stronger material.

Japan is experiencing record numbers of overseas tourists, with monthly visitors exceeding three million for the first time in March and then again in April.

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