No more hassle at convenience stores, tourists flock to the stairs to take pictures of Mount Fuji

Image of Mount Fuji, the symbol of Japan - Photo: Klook

Traffic congestion, litter everywhere, and inappropriately dressed tourists are some of the unpleasant things we might encounter when visiting Mount Fuji.

According to SCMP , last month, the town of Fujikawaguchiko, located in Yamanashi Prefecture and famous for its spectacular views of Mount Fuji, became crowded with tourists flocking to take photos with the famous mountain.

In particular, a convenience store with a mountain backdrop has unintentionally become a popular spot for taking photos.

Because so many tourists were taking selfies in front of the shop, the authorities erected a 2.4-meter-high barrier to block the view of the sacred mountain.

Lawson convenience stores have become a popular photo spot because of the backdrop of Mount Fuji - Photo: SCMP

Authorities erected a 2.4-meter-high barrier on May 21 to prevent tourists from taking photos in front of a Lawson convenience store with a Mount Fuji backdrop - Screenshot from Getty Images.

After this location, tourists continue to flock to the Fuji Dream Bridge on Route 139 in Shizuoka Prefecture to take photos. This is a pedestrian bridge with steps that offer a view of Mount Fuji in the background.

Since photos of people at the location were posted on Instagram, the Fuji Dream Bridge has become a popular check-in spot.

Miyu Toyama, an official from the Tourism Exchange Office, said: "It all started in December 2023, when a foreign KOL (Key Opinion Leader) posted pictures on Instagram. These images quickly spread. Now, most of the people visiting the bridge are foreigners, not Japanese."

According to estimates by the Shizuoka prefectural government, the number of visitors to the Fuji Dream Bridge has increased to over 100 people per day.

Image of the Fuji Dream Bridge with the famous Mount Fuji - Photo: Klook

The official also added: "Tourists flock here regardless of rain or fog. This means they will stay longer waiting for the weather to clear up. As a result, many people will come to the bridge to take pictures at the same time. This is becoming a serious problem."

Residents have repeatedly complained to local authorities about illegal parking, littering, excessive noise, and even public defecation.

The gate of a house was damaged twice due to car collisions. Fortunately, they have not received any reports of injuries from these traffic accidents.

The excessive presence of tourists has caused many negative consequences such as erosion and pollution, to the point that locals have called Mount Fuji the "garbage mountain".

Miyu Toyama added, "While we are very grateful for the large number of tourists attracted by the local charm, we are facing serious challenges in achieving a healthy balance between tourists and local people."

The influx of tourists to Mount Fuji has led to many alarming consequences for the localities surrounding this famous landmark - Photo: CNN

These concerns also coincide with the announcement by Japan's National Tourism Organization that the number of foreign visitors to the country in April reached a record 3.04 million, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak.

This figure represents a 56% increase compared to a year earlier and marks the second consecutive month that the number of foreign visitors to Japan has exceeded 3 million. The agency said the majority of visitors came from South Korea, the United States, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

However, in response to concerns from Japanese citizens and authorities, Ashley Harvey, a tourism marketing analyst, offered a counter-argument.

According to Harvey, the resulting tourist overcrowding inevitably leads to other negative consequences. Even if local authorities find a solution to address this situation, travel influencers will find other places to check in.

In Harvey's view, local authorities could impose quotas during certain peak times and at must-see locations to limit tourist overcrowding, while also offering flexible pricing for visitors, generating revenue for local communities.

The public and private sectors can collaborate to develop tourism into a key economic pillar of the locality.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/het-phien-cua-hang-tien-loi-du-khach-keo-den-cau-thang-chup-nui-phu-si-20240521151707032.htm