Japanese Town to Block View of Mount Fuji to Tackle Overtourism

 Japanese Town to Block View of Mount Fuji to Tackle Overtourism

The Japanese town of Fujikawaguchiko has decided to erect an eight-foot-tall mesh barrier to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji. The barrier will be installed next week in front of a convenience store. The viewpoint offers a striking contrast between its neon-lit facade and the serene backdrop of the scenic mountain. However, badly behaved foreign tourists have been overcrowding the place and disregarding the town's rules and regulations. In March, authorities said they would begin charging hikers $13 from July for using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji. Japan's highest mountain, which is covered in snow most of the year, draws more than 220,000 visitors each July-September climbing period.