Holes found in black screen installed to block tourist snapshots of Mount Fuji

Authorities in Japan took unique action to curb a tourist-related problem. A town put up a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji.

The tourists stood at the spot for a long time which caused overcrowding in the area. But the screen has been punctured now, holes have been found in it and authorities are working to repair it. The officials said that around 10 small holes had already been poked in the mesh screen.

Residents in the town of Fujikawaguchiko had complained about streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules.

A town official told the news agency AFP that the screen made of black netting had achieved its goal of dispersing crowds on a narrow pavement across the road from a convenience store.

Meanwhile, a security guard is there between 10:00 am and 04:00 pm (local time).

The small holes appear to have been created in the morning or evening while no one was watching, the official said, further adding that the holes were big enough to fit a finger through but perhaps too small to capture the Instagram-friendly juxtaposition of the snow-capped volcano emerging from behind the store.

Watch:No perfect picture for Mount Fuji visitors?

"It's about manners. It's a shame. I tried to put a camera up to one of the holes. Did I take a good picture? In fact, I think the net came into the frame," the official said.

He said that "there have been some people who came to see the screen itself" since it was installed last week. The screen measured 2.5 by 20 metres (eight by 65 feet).

"But we have achieved the purpose of discouraging people from staying there," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)