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. |
Sean 'Diddy' Combs: What we know about the accusations against himVideo shows raid on ship near Strait of Hormuz that a Mideast official says was carried out by IranIniesta says he faced double taxation, asks for a settlementAlec Baldwin waved gun around on Rust film set before fatal shooting, court hearsTrump poised for billions as stock market deal passesPolice investigating shotgun attack on rugby team's van in Hawke's BayDeath of 8NZ chef at French restaurant awarded Michelin starInvasive fish species likely illegally released in Kāpiti lakesCompulsory microchipping and desexing of pet cats after Lower Hutt council vote