Picture prefect: Japanese city deploys guards to control unruly tourists seeking perfect shot

The city of Otaru, on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. Tourist crowds have forced officials to deploy security guards to keep tourists safe. Photograph: imagenavi/Getty Images

Authorities in Japan are stepping up measures to deter crowds of overseas visitors from taking risks in their quest for the perfect photo, in another attempt to address the negative impact of a record surge in inbound tourism.

Tourism officials in Otaru, a small city in the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, deployed security guards this week to prevent people congregating on Funami-za, a steep street and the perfect spot for photos of the port and sea in the distance.