Japanese residents have complained about the surge in visitors to Fuji after the construction of a new bridge that will provide a view of one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Officially named Mt Fuji Yume ohashi Bridge, Mt. Fuji, is located in Fuji in Waka and offers an unparalleled background from the photo in front of the famous MT Fuji. It was designed as a tourist attraction, but now locals say they pay prices when overtourism becomes an issue.
The bridge spans two public roads and was completed in 2016 with a government-supported bid to promote the region to tourists. Due to the scenic background with uninterrupted views of the iconic mountains, the bridge was a hit on social media, and visitors to the area surged. On peak days, the bridge attracts over 1,000 visitors. This has proven to be pain for those living in the area.
Residents report issues such as illegal parking and trespassing into private property. Some have said they have to put their own warning signs in order to combat these actions.
Other issues reported in the area as a result of the bridge include overcrowding and noise pollution, but local narrow streets cannot address the number of vehicles passing by each day.
The government has taken several steps to alleviate these issues, including erecting signs in various languages that ask visitors to respect locals and provide free parking. But neither of these issues appears to satisfy the locals, and they say they are still suffering from excessive.
Mount Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. It is an active volcano and is located about 62 miles southwest of Tokyo's capital. The volcano is an impressive sight and has proven to be a very popular attraction for visitors to Japan, amplified by the opening of this “Dream Bridge” nine years ago.
Overtourism issues have been going on for a while in Fuji. Last year, authorities were forced to build a barrier to reservations in the middle of the highway to prevent tourists from standing illegally.
Similar issues have been experienced in other regions, such as the Lawson convenience store on Mt. Fuji, taking in views of Mt. Fuji. The issue was that authorities had to build fences around the store to stop crowds gathering outside.
