6/01/2024

Topic Reading-Vol.4421-6/1/2024

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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