Remember when the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi Prefecture installed a giant black screen to block the view of Mt. Fuji because the town became tired of tourist shenanigans? Sadly for residents, the site became famous on social media as a photo spot to capture Mt. Fuji along with a Lawson Convenience store—the store looks like it is wearing Mt. Fuji as a hat. It used to be a quiet residential area, never designed as a tourist site, so imagine when suddenly large numbers of tourists gathered to take photos, causing problems for locals and businesses: smoking, littering, and jaywalking.

The only solution the local municipality could think of was installing a giant, 20-metre long, 2.5-metre high blackout screen made from black mesh material to block the view from photo-hungry tourists. They hoped to deter tourists from visiting. But for poor Fujikawaguchiko residents, the nightmare did not end—less than a week after the wall’s installation, around 10 small holes were discovered in the screen, all of them at eye level height, measuring one centimeter in diameter, just large enough to fit a smartphone camera lens.

Visitor numbers at the site are slowly decreasing, but sadly, it does not deter bad apples among the tourists from damaging public property. If this continues, stronger measures must be put in place. For now, the municipality will be blocking the holes and keeping a close eye on the situation. Another problematic site at a different convenience store is also being used by tourists. Tourists are stopping their cars and taking photos on private property, creating a new thorn in the town’s side. The mayor is working hard to lure tourists away from these sensitive sites, urging tourists to go to other places in the town where they can enjoy beautiful views and take photos without being a nuisance to the local community. There are plans to add a sign with a QR code on the blackout screen that links to a site introducing tourists to these approved spots to help stop overcrowding on private properties and protect quiet residential areas.

With the Mt. Fuji climbing season approaching, a better option for tourists is to visit the majestic mountain, climb it, and experience its grandeur firsthand. We share an informative video to inspire those who dream of conquering Fujisan’s beautiful peak.