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A Japanese town that erected a huge black screen 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.
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, local time, officials said they had found around ten 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 Mount Fuji was sitting atop the store roof.
Local residents have complained about visitors blocking the narrow sidewalk and walking into the busy road or onto neighbouring properties to get their shots, officials said.
The town spent 1.3 million yen ($12,434) to install the 2.5-metre-high black mesh net that stretches 20 metres, and additional fences along the sidewalk. last week
The screen has helped ease congestion in the area, officials said.
Over-tourism has also become a growing issue at other popular tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Kamakura.
To help deal with the growing problem of over-tourism, in Kamakura, English-speaking guides have been helping direct tourists to prevent them from obstructing busy train stations.
In Kyoto, authorities have reportedly installed screens at the main train station, showing live feeds of tourist areas to let visitors assess the crowds to plan their trips better.
Climbing Mount Fuji has also become an over-tourism issue which is why a booking system has been set up.
Under the new system, climbers need to choose whether they will do a day hike or stay overnight at the several available huts across the trail.
The booking system will only allow 4,000 climbers to enter the trail each day.
AP/ABC