In the shadow of Japan’s most iconic peak, a seemingly ordinary bridge has become the latest flashpoint in the country’s growing struggle with overtourism. Locals in Fuji town are complaining of excessive tourist footfall around this scenic spot owing to its rising popularity, which has in turn made their lives tough.
Built in 2016 to connect two major roads in the city of Fuji, located in the Shizuoka prefecture, the now-famous structure, also called the “Mount Fuji Dream Bridge”, was originally promoted by the local government as a picturesque photo spot. With its unique design, the bridge’s staircase appears to lead directly to the summit of Mount Fuji, offering a very surreal and Instagrammable visual for camera-toting tourists.
To encourage visitors, the local authorities provided free parking and even installed multilingual signage asking visitors to keep noise to a minimum while enjoying their moment with Japan’s sacred mountain. What started as a clever tourism push, however, has now spiralled into a logistical and social headache for the surrounding community.
Reports indicate that on days when skies are clear, the bridge attracts up to 1,000 visitors daily, leading to a host of problems. Residents say the influx has led to illegal parking, persistent noise, and even trespassing on private property by overzealous tourists trying to secure the perfect shot. Locals have been complaining about loud noises too, that often start early in the morning.
This is just the latest in a series of overtourism-related incidents affecting Japan in recent years. While the country has worked hard to revive its tourism sector post-pandemic, some initiatives are now backfiring. In Kyoto, locals have grown weary of tourists harassing geisha and wandering into private alleys, prompting bans and stricter regulations. At Mount Fuji, authorities have introduced entry fees, daily visitor caps, and physical barriers to manage crowds and protect the environment.
