TOKYO: A barrier installed in Japan to block a popular view of Mount Fuji has been removed after succeeding in discouraging non-serious tourists, a town official said Tuesday.
The Fujikawaguchiko town put up the large screen in May after residents of the area complained about behavior of mostly foreign visitors causing problems while trying to snap photos of Japan’s iconic volcano.
The town administration removed the screen on August 15 ahead of a typhoon and has decided not to put it back again. “We wanted to see what would happen,” the town official told media.
“There are still some people who come to the place. But we no longer find many people suddenly rushing out into the traffic to cross the road,” he said.
Pictures taken from the narrow pavement are popular online, with the snow-capped mountain seen in the background. The town’s struggle with unruly tourists made global headlines as record numbers of tourists traveled to Japan over the summer, creating some opposition among locals.
The Fujikawaguchiko official added the town administration can put up the screen again if tourists return and cause more problems for the local population.
