At the heart of the controversy is a Lawson convenience store located near Kawaguchiko Station. This The store, often the first stop for visitors, provides a great view of Mount Fuji, drawing photographers and tourists looking to capture the famous scene. However, this popularity has come at a cost.
Local residents and business owners have reported disruptions caused by the influx of tourists. Photographers with tripods frequently block nearby roads, leaving little space for residents to move about freely. Instances of littering and congestion have further strained the area.
A local official stated. “We’ve been pushed beyond our limit by the increase in foreign tourists over the past few months.”
To address the issue, the town took the unusual step of installing black screens to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji from the Lawson’s storefront. The screens were intended as a temporary deterrent, discouraging tourists from gathering and taking photos that inconvenience locals.
On May 4, multilingual signs were posted at Kawaguchiko Station urging visitors not to cross roads dangerously when photographing the mountain. The company vowed to work with local authorities and police to enhance safety measures.
As of right now, the wall seems to have been removed (as you can see in this photo posted to Google Maps on December 2024).
A Message for Travelers
For those visiting Fujikawaguchiko, be sure to respect the rules and the people who call this stunning region home. Responsible travel ensures that everyone can enjoy the beauty of destinations like Mount Fuji for generations to come.
