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.
German dependency on Russian energy significantly reduced: president
(W.E. Talk) Can China and the U.S. Escape the Thucydides Trap?
Xi Presents Order to Promote Military Officers to Rank of General
Senior Chinese diplomat urges U.S. to adopt rational, pragmatic China policies
Sweden, Finland to submit NATO applications Wednesday
Dali cargo ship is finally brought back to port
Israel cancels indoor mask requirement
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
WHO endorses China's Sinopharm COVID