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.
I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
Scarred by war, Nigeria’s wounded soldiers fought to recover at Prince Harry's Invictus Games
Carol Burnett, 91, looks chic in all
China vows to actively promote restoration of int'l flights
2 French prison officers killed and 3 injured in an attack on a prison van in Normandy
After Roe, an 'underground' network helps others get abortions
US downhill skier Breezy Johnson banned for 14 months for breaking anti
Amed Rosario drives in 3 runs with triple and double, Rays beat Red Sox 5
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle hint there are more quasi