FUJIKAWAGUCHIKO, Japan (AP) — The town of Fujikawaguchiko has had enough of tourists.
Known for a number of scenic photo spots that offer a near-perfect shot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, the town on Tuesday began constructing a large black screen on a stretch of a sidewalk to block the view of the mountain. The reason: misbehaving foreign tourists.
“Kawaguchiko is a town built on tourism, and I welcome many visitors, and the town welcomes them too, but there are many things about their manners that are worrying,” said Michie Motomochi, owner of a cafe serving Japanese sweets “ohagi,” near the soon-to-be-blocked photo spot.
Motomochi mentioned littering, crossing the road with busy traffic, ignoring traffic lights, trespassing into private properties. She isn’t unhappy though — 80% of her customers are foreign visitors whose numbers have surged after a pandemic hiatus that kept Japan closed for about two years.
IF starring Ryan Reynolds lands at the top of a lackluster box office with less
Officials back warrants for HK fugitives abroad
Consumption expo in Hainan expected to bolster growth
Xiplomacy: China, Nauru Gathering Momentum for Growth of Ties
Xi, Honduran President Exchange Congratulations on 1st Anniversary of Ties
Book of Xi's Discourses on Financial Work Published
Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
Panda program continues to boost China
Farm family’s newest crop shows China’s solar ascendancy
Xinhua Headlines: Chinese, Nauruan Presidents Hold Talks for 1st Time Since Resuming Ties