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.
Family appeals ruling that threw out lawsuit over 2017 BIA shooting death in North Dakota
Cher, Ozzy Osbourne among 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees
Five rockets are fired from Iraq towards US military base in Syria
Ahead of the Paris Olympics, police clear a migrant camp near City Hall
Damian Lillard sets Bucks' postseason mark with 35 points in opening half vs Pacers
China's top political advisory body starts annual session
Hurricanes get a quick boost from Evgeny Kuznetsov addition to start NHL playoffs
U.S. and Mexico will boost deportation flights and enforcement to crack down on illegal migration
Beijing base to bring in 50 giant pandas in 2025
HBCU Xavier of New Orleans moves closer to establishing a medical school
UK sanctions Iran's leading military figures, entities