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The Times of India
The Times of India
World
TOI World Desk

Oshino Hakkai Coin-Tossing Problem: 50,000 coins threaten clear springs; village adds donation box

Mount Fuji UNESCO Japan World Heritage Environment

One of Japan’s most recognisable water landscapes lies at the foot of Mount Fuji. Oshino Hakkai in Yamanashi Prefecture, consisting of eight spring-fed ponds, is celebrated for its clear water and its connection to the mountain’s underground springs. But in 2013, after Mount Fuji was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, local authorities began confronting an unusual challenge: visitors were tossing coins into the ponds as if they were wishing wells. Over the years, around 50,000 coins have been recovered, raising concerns about the possible longer-term effects of corroding metal on the springs.

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