Hakodate's 'Million Dollar View' Obscured by Tourists

As the sun begins to set, crowds already gather at the observation deck on Mount Hakodate, with security personnel urging them to keep moving.

Despite the breathtaking scenery, many visitors seem more focused on their smartphones than the view itself. The ropeway to the summit is packed like a commuter train, and as night falls, the crowd jostles to capture the view on their devices.

One visitor from Iwate remarked, "I couldn’t see the view at all because of the crowd. I never imagined it would be this packed. I thought I’d be able to enjoy it more leisurely."

A tourist from Tokyo expressed surprise at the situation, saying, "I was shocked. You can’t stay long here."

Another from Yamaguchi said simply, "I’m exhausted. It’s beyond what I imagined."

Even as the night deepens, the line for the ropeway extends far outside the building, with less than an hour left until closing time.

The overcrowding isn’t limited to the ropeway. At the bus stop leading to Mount Hakodate, long lines of people wait, with the buses unable to keep up with the demand. Last year, Hakodate saw approximately 5.3 million visitors, more than 22 times its population of 240,000.

One Hakodate resident noted, "Sometimes, I can’t even get on the bus because of the tourists."

The problem is not just for the locals. A visitor from Aomori, accompanied by small children, expressed concern, saying, "I want to ride, but it’s so crowded. I’m not sure if we can manage with a stroller."

Overtourism is proving problematic for tourists as well, leading the city to take action. A new initiative called "Relaxed Night Views and Night Tours" aims to guide visitors to other historical sites during the peak congestion hours before 8 p.m.

Hakodate Mayor Jun Oizumi stated, "We want to broaden tourists' options and optimize the experience to avoid excessive concentration, ensuring it doesn’t negatively impact residents’ lives."

Source: ANN