On Friday April 26th, authorities in the town of Fujikawaguchiko announced that a barrier would be erected to block the view of Mount Fuji in an attempt to throttle the high influx of tourists to the Japanese resort town, as reported by Japanese news outlet Japan Times. The barrier is expected to be placed in front of the Lawson store, which offers views of the majestic Mount Fuji. Fujikawaguchiko is in the Yamanashi Prefecture.
This measure represents the latest direct intervention in Japan to counteract over-tourism, especially toward those individuals who behave in disrespectful way while visiting the picturesque town. The decision is in line with the sentiment of locals who have become overwhelmed. The flow of foreign tourists to Japan has reached unprecedented levels, with more than 3 million monthly visitors in March, setting an all-time record.
The steady increase in foreign tourists brought with it a series of problems to the local community. What was once a quiet retreat with some peaceful views of Mount Fuji soon became a scene of crowds. In addition to preserving the natural environment, the measure seeks to protect local properties such as local businesses from possible damage caused by disrespectful tourists.
In 2024, local authorities and residents began to express concern about the behavior of some visitors, who left piles of trash in their wake, and ignored traffic regulations and warning signs. This lack of consideration affected the quality of life of those living Fujikawaguchiko. It also had a negative impact on the possibility of others who wished to enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings.
After several years of tolerance and efforts to raise awareness among tourists about the importance of respecting the environment and the community, local authorities were forced to take drastic action.
The construction of the huge black screen, which resembled an impenetrable wall 2.5 meters high and 20 meters long, began to generate controversy even before its completion. While some residents supported the measure as a last resort to address the problem of overflow tourism, others saw it as a radical solution that went against Japan’s spirit of hospitality.
Number of tourists skyrockets
The number of people visiting Mount Fuji increased dramatically since the mountain was designated as world heritage ten years ago, more than doubling between 2012 and 2019 to hit 5.1 million arrivals in Yamanashi prefecture, where most hikers “start their journey”, according to Euronews.
Over 65,000 hikers have reached the 3,776-meter summit (12,388 feet) since the walking season opened in July 2023, an increase of 17% from pre-Covid times in 2019. It is feared the boom is set to continue, fed by post-Covid enthusiasm for travel and the return of Chinese tourists.
Introduction of fees to fight overtourism
Mount Fuji is the latest Japanese destination set to make visitors pay for access. There are different trails for climbing Mount Fuji, each with different difficulty levels, crowd levels, amenities, and distance from Tokyo. The Yoshida trail, a 14.5-kilometre loop with a 1,500-metre elevation gain, is easily reached from Tokyo and is perceived to offer a safe way to experience the mountain, with well-marked paths, plus accommodation, restrooms and meals at plentiful mountain huts along the way.
From 1 July 2024, and for at least the duration of the 70-day summer climbing season, those who wish to access the Yoshida hike will need to pay the new levy and pass through a gate, which will also measure how many visitors are passing through and limit daily numbers at the UNESCO World Heritage site to 4,000. It will also be forbidden to begin the ascent between the hours of 4:00 pm and 2:00 am.
As well as the safety implications and risks of congestion and logjams when too many walkers are trying to crowd into narrow or restricted areas, Japan’s Yamanashi prefectural government is concerned about the burden on local teams and taxpayers created by inexperienced or reckless walkers who find themselves in trouble in more remote areas.
The amount of the visitor fee is yet to be confirmed. A voluntary fee of a suggested ¥1,000 (€6.20) was introduced in 2014, which has helped with the responsibility of keeping the mountain a pleasant and safe environment, paying towards path maintenance, litter clearance and environmental protections. The income raised from the new fee will go towards the construction of shelters that will protect visitors from a volcanic eruption and other maintenance tasks associated with the route.
