Go Tokyo Your Experience
When visiting Tokyo, aside from shopping and enjoying Disneyland, a trip to the attractions around Mount Fuji is highly recommended. One of the popular destinations is “Oshino Hakkai,” renowned for its spring water fed by the melting snow from Mount Fuji, attracting numerous tourists. However, a recent Japanese TV program reported that the spring water has been polluted by tourists throwing coins to make wishes, despite multilingual signs advising against it.
Oshino Hakkai is famous for its clear and pure spring water, sourced from the melting snow of Mount Fuji, and in 1985, it was recognized as one of Japan’s finest spring waters. Recently, the Japanese TV program “It!” reported that the ponds of Oshino Hakkai have accumulated more than a meter of coins, which have polluted the water and damaged the ecosystem. This pollution is attributed to tourists throwing coins to make wishes.
Local reporters filming the program noted that despite the presence of multilingual signs saying “Do not throw coins” around the ponds, within just two hours, five groups of tourists were seen tossing coins into the water. Coins from various countries were found in the ponds. Interviews with tourists revealed that many believed the ponds were for wishing and felt compelled to throw coins upon seeing them in the water.
A volunteer diver responsible for cleaning the coins stated that the coin pile is at least one meter high. He mentioned that complete removal is challenging because the coins mix with the pond’s mud to form a cement-like substance, requiring continuous digging for effective cleaning. The coin accumulation severely affects the local ecology and water quality, significantly reducing the water plants in the ponds.
Despite some past criticisms of Oshino Hakkai as an overrated destination, it was designated a World Cultural Heritage site in 2013 and is considered a natural monument in Japan. According to Japanese law, throwing coins to make wishes can violate the Cultural Property Protection Act, potentially resulting in up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million yen. When visiting Japan, even if you see coins in the ponds, refrain from tossing coins to make wishes!