Holes discovered in giant screen built to curb tourism at Japan’s Mount Fuji

• Japan’s town of Fujikawaguchiko erected a large black screen to deter tourists from photographing Mount Fuji and overcrowding the area.
• Shortly after installation, officials discovered around 10 holes in the screen, all at eye level and sized for camera lenses.
• The town spent $8,285 to install the 8.2-feet-high black mesh net that stretches 66 feet.

A Japanese town that erected a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji and overcrowding the area has discovered holes in the screen and is working to repair them, officials said Tuesday.

Fujikawaguchiko, a popular spot to view and photograph the iconic mountain, put up the screen last Tuesday, but the next day officials discovered a hole in it. By Tuesday morning, officials had found around 10 similar holes, all at eye level, and all apparently just the right size to fit a camera lens through.

One especially popular viewing location is outside a Lawson convenience store, from where photos taken at a certain angle would make it look as if Mt. Fuji was sitting atop the store roof.

JAPANESE TOWN ERECTS GIANT SCREEN IN FRONT OF MOUNT FUJI TO PREVENT TOURIST CROWDING

Local residents have complained about visitors blocking the narrow sidewalk and walking into the busy road or onto neighboring properties to get their shots, officials said.

The town spent $8,285 to install the 8.2-feet-high black mesh net that stretches 66 feet, and additional fences along the sidewalk.

The screen has helped ease congestion in the area, officials said.

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Over-tourism has also become a growing issue at other popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Kamakura.