[/floatr]Yomiuri: Ordinance to ban writing on Tottori Sand Dunes
The Tottori prefectural government is to draw up a new ordinance prohibiting the inscription of words and images in the Tottori Sand Dunes, a designated national natural monument, as early as September. More than 1.3 million people annually visit the Tottori Sand Dunes. However, the inscriptions on the beautiful dunes mar the scenic view for tourists. As the dunes are freely accessible, there is nothing to prevent people from using their feet or sticks to write in the sand. On April 5, the names "Wataru" and "Sachiko" could be seen written in hiragana and katakana on one dune. Each character measured about two meters high by eight meters wide, and the sand was dug about 30 centimeters deep so the inscription would not be easily erased by the wind. Many visitors feel the writing detracts from the area's natural beauty...According to the Tottori branch of the National Parks Foundation, the inscriptions on the dunes have been common since last year. Images of cartoon characters or the names of schools appear on the dunes almost every day during the sightseeing seasons of spring and autumn...more...
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