Japanese artist Hokusai made a famous series of woodblock prints entitled Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, and centuries later the majestic mountain still captures the imagination. However, that is now translating into record numbers of tourists eager to commemorate their visit with carefully staged photos.
An unobstructed view of Fuji is something to be cherished — so much so that a real estate developer this week agreed to demolish a nearly completed apartment building in western Tokyo because it was blocking residents’ view of the mountain. Developer Sekisui House said it decided to demolish the 10-storey building due to “insufficient consideration of the impact on the landscape”.
The mountain’s popularity is also causing problems in other parts of Japan, where huge barriers have been installed to block views of popular photo spots by authorities annoyed by crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists.
What is Mount Fuji and where is it located?
The 3,776-metre-high peak – an active volcano that last erupted in 1707 – is Japan’s, and perhaps the world’s, most recognizable mountain. That’s thanks to its satisfyingly conical contours, which straddle Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, and its inimitable place in the Japanese psyche. It is a religious pilgrimage site, a harbinger of good fortune and the inspiration for countless artists and writers. It’s no coincidence that the mountain, which is visible from Tokyo on clear days, made cameo appearances at the opening ceremonies of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Why has it become a must-see for visitors?
Its popularity is the inevitable result of the surge in tourism to Japan since the country lifted travel restrictions following the Covid-19 pandemic. Helped by a weak yen and Japan’s reputation for safety, hospitality and delicious food, more than 3 million people visited in March and April, with the annual number expected to break the previous record of 31.9 million set in 2019. to Japan would be like missing the pyramids on a trip to Egypt. Although the mountain is visible from high-speed trains long enough to take photos, many tourists like to get much closer for that perfect vacation memory.
Why are cities blocking popular views of Fuji?
The UNESCO World Heritage site has become the target of visitors looking to take a quintessential Japanese photo for their social media accounts. So this month a mesh screen was erected in the city of Fujikawaguchiko to deter hordes of visitors intent on capturing the mountain rising in the distance, with another Japanese icon – a Lawson supermarket – in the foreground. But the measure, introduced after complaints that visitors littered, committed traffic offenses and flouted traffic rules, has had mixed results. Within days, holes appeared in the mesh screen large enough to accommodate a smartphone camera lens. There are plans to erect a new barrier, made of sturdier material. Authorities in a nearby town say they will erect a tall metal fence by the end of the month after visitors with smartphones wandered onto a busy road to take photos from the Mount Fuji Dream Bridge.
What have the authorities done about overcrowding on the mountain itself?
People hoping to hike to the top of Fuji, or at least one of the higher stages, will soon have to book in advance and pay a ¥2,000 (£10) fee. The measure, which applies to the popular Yoshida route up the mountain, will come into effect at the start of the annual climbing season in July. Authorities hope the fee will allay concerns about overcrowding and litter, and discourage ‘bullet climbs’, where climbers, often inexperienced and inappropriately dressed, begin their ascent at night so they reach the summit in time to catch the sun. watching it rise and then descend without taking enough rest. To reduce congestion, registrations on the route are limited to 4,000 per day. Climbing is not permitted between 4:00 PM and 3:00 AM.