On the 23rd, Japan reporters went to Oshino Hakkai, a World Heritage Site in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is famous for its beautiful scenery and the love of foreign tourists. At this spot, where you can enjoy both Mt. Fuji and the clear blue water, there has been a problem of "throwing a coin into the pool" in recent years.
In the space of 2 hours on the 23rd, there were 5 groups of tourists who tossed coins.
Such an act violates the Cultural Property Protection Act and may result in imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of not more than 1 million yen.
There is a warning sign next to the pond that says "No Throwing in Coins", but there are still people who do not follow the rules.
As a result, the bottom of the pond is covered with coins, with Japan and foreign coins.
The rust of coins and the like dissolve in the pond and may pollute the water quality of Oshino Hakkai.
The Oshino Village Government, which is in charge of management, organizes volunteer divers to collect coins several times a year.
However, due to the high altitude of Oshino Hakkai, the work was hard, and it was not possible to recover all the coins, and the coins kept piling up at the bottom.
Volunteer diver Arata Sakamoto said: "Coins piled up more than a meter at the bottom of the pool. Mud and coins pile up like cement, and the more you dig, the more you dig! Coins don't fall, they pile up. ”
These coins act as sedimentary weights, resulting in a significant reduction in the pond's aquatic weeds.
In the May 2024 recycling, there is a change in the types of coins thrown away.
Volunteer diver Arata Sakamoto said, "There are a lot of 500 yen coins thrown now, and probably because of the depreciation of the yen, foreigners think that 500 yen coins are not much. About 40 500 yen coins were recovered in May this year. It may have been less than 5 in October last year. ”
(PS: In the past, it was common to throw a 5 yen coin in a small way, but 50 yen could be distressed.) It seems that there are a lot of big dogs going now. )
Regarding the question of everyone throwing coins into the pool, the reason is......
The Filipino tourist said, "I tossed a coin and made a wish. (Q: Throwing)? Can't you throw it away? I don't know ......."
The Chinese tourist said, "There are a lot of coins in the pond, so I thought it was a place to make a wish, and I made a wish for myself and my family." ”
Many tourists say that they toss coins to make a wish.
Another Japan tourist said, "When I saw so many coins under the pool, I let my children vote for them." ”
Although it was wanted to increase the warning signs, Oshino Village was looking for other solutions so as not to damage the landscape.
Editor: Get a simulated machine and AI to recognize coins and automatically pick up coins 24 hours a day.