Photo point at Mount Fuji to build new fences to curb jaywalking

A city in central Japan plans to erect new fences along a street in front of a Lawson supermarket that offers scenic views of Mount Fuji, local authorities said Friday, to prevent people from entering the spot popular with foreign tourists get in the way of traffic.

The location in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, was flooded with visitors wanting to photograph the famous mountain as it towered over the store. The development has prompted the city government to take preventive measures.

The new fences, scheduled to be installed in December, will be the first on the street side of the supermarket. The city said its introduction was due to a significant increase in jaywalking.

People gather in front of Lawson Supermarket for a scenic view of Mount Fuji in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture on November 29, 2024. (Editorial use only) (Kyodo)

The two fences are each around 3 meters long and 80 centimeters high and are intended to encourage pedestrians to cross the street via a designated zebra crossing. City officials are considering painting the crosswalk green and white to make it more noticeable.

A similar barrier to prevent intrusion into the street was extended in October to 25 meters of roadside opposite the supermarket.

In May, amid concerns about misconduct and loitering at the site, local authorities temporarily installed a black screen across the street to block the view. It was removed in August as a safety measure from an approaching typhoon.

Mayor Hideyuki Watanabe said Friday there are currently no plans to reinstall the black screen.

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