Japan removes Mount Fuji's anti-crowding barrier, but not because of tourists

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Japanese authorities have temporarily taken down a barrier that had been blocking views of Mount Fuji. The 8.2-foot black mesh covering in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, originally put up in May 2024, was meant to discourage tourists from taking photos of the iconic mountain from a popular vantage point.

 

International visitors have also been accused of littering, clogging up sidewalks, and even darting into traffic to snap pictures, creating both safety concerns and frustration among residents. The black mesh barrier was part of an effort to address these issues by controlling the flow of visitors to the area.

 

 

Nevertheless, eager visitors quickly found ways around it, cutting holes in the mesh to capture their perfect shot of Mount Fuji rising behind a Lawson convenience store.

 

However, local authorities decided to take down the barrier ahead of Typhoon Ampil on August 15, 2024, as a precautionary measure.

 

Ampil made its presence known with maximum sustained winds of up to 134 mph. Developing in the Pacific Ocean, it brought heavy rains, strong winds, and high waves, primarily impacting Japan’s eastern coast. Though the storm led to power outages and minor damage in affected areas, Japan largely avoided major destruction. The evacuation order for over 320,000 residents in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, was lifted once the storm passed.

 

Now, with the barrier down, officials are treating this as a trial period to see if the situation can improve without the physical obstruction. They hope that tourists will be more mindful of their behavior, but if overcrowding continues to pose problems, the barrier could make a return. The town is searching for a balance—welcoming tourism while protecting the daily life of its residents.

 

• https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/news/mount-fuji-barrier-removed-after-successfully-managing-japan-overtourism/ 
• https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/with-tourists-away-mount-fuji-barrier-taken-down-in-japan 
• https://www.tripzilla.com/mount-fuji-barrier-removed/152125  
• https://apnews.com/article/japan-typhoon-storm-weather-rain-0dc797d2709612cc7d408d6b1172d5ac 

 

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