Ever seen photos of tourists and influencers outside a Lawson store in Japan with a gorgeous view of the iconic Mount Fuji behind it? Well, you won’t be seeing those photos anymore. As of May 22, the construction of a tall black mesh net to cover the view was officially completed. News about the town Fujikawaguchiko’s plans to build the cover started circulating as early as April.
According to the Associated Press, the cover is made of a black mesh net, is 8.2 feet high, and stretches for 66 feet along the Fujikawaguchiko’s sidewalk.
#Japan – Sick of tourists, Japan town blocks view of Mt Fuji.
📸 Kazuhiro NOGI #AFP pic.twitter.com/CIz8Sc8elH— AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) May 21, 2024
But why was this necessary?
The town, Fujikawaguchiko, became overrun with tourists trying to take Instagrammable shots in front of this particularly scenic Lawson—but at the expense of locals just trying to go about their days. Imagine sidewalks overflowing with selfie sticks, overflowing trash cans, and locals dodging tourists like they’re dodging rush hour traffic. It wasn’t exactly the zen experience most people associate with Mount Fuji, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. And it’s probably not what locals want for their peaceful town, either.
Photo: Filiz Elaerts, Unsplash
And while this move caused a stir, it also restarted the discussion about bad tourist behaviors, and maybe that’s a good thing. Anyone who travels should listen and learn. After all, the “Mount Fuji Lawson” saga is a cautionary tale, especially in this age of social media: your aesthetic content shouldn’t come at the expense of the place you’re visiting, and the people who live there.
Travel responsibly and respectfully, people.
