Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most well-known landmarks. Social media made it even more popular for people to take photos of this iconic mountain. However, this caused big problems for people living in the nearby town of Fujikawaguchiko. The city has an awesome view of Mount Fuji, which attracts millions of tourists. The crowds became too much for locals.
To keep selfie-taking visitors away, the town decided to:
- Put up a huge black wall to block the famous Mount Fuji view
- Stop people from walking into the road to get pictures
- Prevent disruptions like litter and traffic jams
Work Begins to Block the View
Construction workers just started building the big wall a few hours ago. It will stand right on the sidewalk across from a Lawson convenience store, the exact spot where most tourists take their Mount Fuji photos.
Our reporter, Shima Khil, describes the scene:
“This is the money shot, the viral selfie spot for many visitors. Across the street is where they get that perfect Mount Fuji frame.”
“But it causes major disruptions for locals just trying to live their daily lives – going to school, walking dogs, running errands. People jaywalk into traffic to get the photo. And there’s litter everywhere, which is frowned upon in Japan.”
Controversial Solution Attracts More Attention
The decision to block the view with a wall caught the attention of the media worldwide. News cameras crowded the area to film construction and interview people.
“It’s a meta moment – you have tourists taking pictures of the media filming them!” said Shima. “The town hoped the wall would stop crowds, but the extra publicity may attract more visitors initially.”
Some locals are still determining if blocking the view is the right solution. One resident told the BBC, “It’s a shame to block such a beautiful view of Mount Fuji. We want tourists, just not the disruptions.”
Balancing World-Famous Views with Local Life
For many tourists, getting a shot of the iconic Mount Fuji is a must-do in Japan. However, the millions of visitors became too much for Fujikawaguchiko’s residents to handle.
Building the wall aims to restore peace and order by eliminating the prime photo spot. But it’s a controversial move, with some worried about losing access to the famous view.
The town faces a tough challenge sharing its world-class scenery responsibly without overwhelming locals’ ability to go about their daily routines. Only time will tell if the wall helps strike that balance.
Is blocking views of major landmarks a reasonable solution when tourist crowds get too disruptive? Or should towns explore different options to manage sightseeing hotspots?
