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You can’t keep a good man down, and you can’t stop a tourist from taking photos of Mount Fuji, it seems. Tourists have apparently been poking holes in the screen that was built to keep them from taking photos of the iconic volcano.
The screen was erected in the town of Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, last week. It was designed to prevent huge numbers of tourists crowding around to take photos of Mount Fuji. The 8-foot high black screen cost around $10,000 to put up.
Lens-sized holes
Now, the netting has been found to have holes in it, presumably where frustrated and enterprising tourists have poked their camera lenses or phones hoping to capture a quick elicit snapshot. In fact, the holes are just the right size for a camera lens, according to reports.
According to Sky News, Japanese officials found around ten holes of this size. The screen was installed after local residents complained about large crowds blocking roads and pavements to photograph Mount Fuji. Officials have said that, in general, the screen has been successful as a deterrent despite the holes.
Over-tourism is becoming an increasing issue in many hotspots around the world. Some are quick to blame social media photo-sharing apps such as Instagram. Another city in Japan, Kyoto, recently announced that tourists were no longer allowed to take photos of the geisha there.
Last year, the picturesque town of Hallstatt in Austria put up a screen to deter flocks of tourists from taking photos of the iconic view of the church and lake.
Are screens the answer?
I live in a tourist hotspot myself. This year, we are seeing record numbers of visitors, and frankly, it is annoying. I tried to take some photos in the historical centre the other week, and no fewer than three large tour groups walked through my photo. I’m almost longing for the covid era emptiness.
However, we do need to remember that tourists also bring much-needed cash to fuel the local economies. There needs to be a balance, and I don’t think putting up huge screens to cover up the very things the places are famous for is the correct answer.
What do you think? Are screens a good solution for over-tourism?
[via petapixel]
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