A city will replace a barrier installed to stop unruly tourists from taking photos of Mount Fuji after holes were punched in the mesh, local media reported Thursday.
The barrier was installed last week at a popular viewing spot in the city of Fujikawaguchiko, where residents had complained about streams of mainly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules.
But at least ten small holes have already been spotted in the 2.5 by 20 meter black mesh hanging outside a supermarket, behind which the mountain is visible in the distance.
The new barrier will be made of stronger material and possibly changed to a lighter color such as blue or green, Kyodo News and other local media reported.
Mayor Hideyuki Watanabe told reporters that he “hopes to change the barrier as soon as possible” before the summer holidays, according to the Asahi Shimbun daily.
Record numbers of foreign tourists are coming to Japan, where the number of monthly visitors surpassed 3 million for the first time in March and again in April.
But as in other tourist hotspots, such as Venice, which recently launched a trial of entrance fees for day visitors, the influx has not been welcomed everywhere.
In Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto, locals have complained that tourists are harassing the city’s famous geisha.
And hikers using the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji this summer will have to pay ¥2,000 ($13) each, capped at 4,000 to reduce traffic jams.
