Overtourism is causing headaches for authorities and residents in Japan. The weaker yen has meant people are flocking to see Japan's sites and sample its world-famous cuisine. A town at the foot of Mount Fuji is taking action to combat the problem. The town is being flooded with sightseers taking selfies in front of a convenience store, with Fuji-san in the background. The town will make a giant fence to block the view of Japan's iconic mountain.
A local official said the tourists were throwing trash in the streets and blocking traffic. The town has employed security guards to control selfie takers. The official said it was "regrettable" to have to erect the fence, which will be 20 metres long and 2.5 metres high. Other places in Japan are also battling overtourism. Locals in Kyoto cannot get on overcrowded buses. Areas of Kyoto have been closed to tourists to stop people harassing geisha.
Try the same news story at these levels:
Overtourism - Level 5 or Overtourism - Level 6
Sources- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/04/26/japan/society/town-sets-up-screen-to-hide-mount-fuji/
- https://edition.cnn.com/travel/japan-mount-fuji-view-barrier-tourists-intl-hnk/index.html
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/26/fujikawaguchiko-town-japan-block-mount-fuji-view-overcrowding
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