Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Japanese town overrun with tourists puts up view-blocking barrier near
Mount Fuji
Overtourism powered by social media seems to have disastrous effects on
the lives of local residents and businesses. The snowy 3,776m peak of Japan’s
iconic Mount Fuji is one of the most popular photo spots for tourists. It could
be photographed from any angle because of its round shape, but somehow or the
other, the mountain shot behind a convenience store near Lake Kawaguchi became
a hot spot. There were just too many tourists around this small vantage point where
locals walk or drive along. Some of the tourists trespass, smoke, litter, and
shout in the usually calm and slow community. Finally, an ugly, giant black net
was put up to block the iconic view of Mount Fuji in response to numerous
complaints from locals, who say their lives have been disrupted by jaywalking
and littering tourists. The ugly net will certainly discourage tourists who
want photos of the particular spot to come to the particular convenience store.
However, it will also take away the view from the residents who have been
enjoying it. Not only in famous travel destinations like Venice or Barcelona
but also in rural, usually-quite spots like the town of Fuji-Kawaguchiko, over-tourism
is increasingly becoming a sensitive issue.
Read the article and see the photos to learn about over-tourism
pollution.
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