May 31st 2024.
The Great Dream Bridge in Fuji City has turned into a nightmare for the locals. It all started last week when the town of Fujikawaguchiko, located in Yamanashi Prefecture, decided to put up a blackout screen. This decision was made to block the view of Mount Fuji, which had become overcrowded with tourists after gaining fame on social media.
The purpose of the screen was to protect the residents, who were finding it difficult to walk and drive in the area, as well as the tourists who were putting themselves at risk by not following the rules. Additionally, a local business was also affected by the large crowds. It was a bold move to erect the screen, but it seems to have inspired another city to take action. Similar deterrents are now being set up at a popular photo spot of Mount Fuji in neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture.
The photo spot, known as "Mt Fuji Yume no Ohashi", is a regular overpass for the locals but has become a sought-after location for tourists. They are mesmerized by the sight of Mount Fuji towering over the road and the stairs that lead up to the roadside walkway. However, as shown in the Google Street View image, there are not many tourist facilities in the area. This has caused several problems such as people leaving trash, parking their cars illegally (sometimes even on private property), and foreigners knocking on residents' doors to use the bathroom.
As seen in the video, tourists are not content with just taking photos from the stairs and walkway. They often jump over the concrete barrier on the overpass and cross the road to reach the median strip. This is strictly forbidden, as shown by the "No Crossing" signs posted along the walkway. However, some tourists claim to be unaware of the rules, while others think it is okay to cross over. In Japan, it is uncommon to see people crossing a road unless it is at a designated crossing, and even then, it is customary to wait for the green pedestrian light. The sight of people crossing or entering the roadway in this manner is shocking to the locals, who have lodged complaints with the local council.
In response to these complaints, the city has installed a barrier to prevent people from entering the road on the overpass. This barricade stretches 400 meters along the middle section, and a 1.8-meter high fence will be erected in mid-July as a more permanent solution. On the ground level, residents have also taken measures to prevent people from parking on or entering their properties. They have placed traffic cones with ropes in front of their houses. Reports have shown tourists entering private land without permission and even posing for photos on residents' front porches.
The mayor of the local ward, Masatoshi Matsumoto, has been working with the Fuji City Exchange and Tourism Division Manager, Takenori Matsumura, to address the complaints. They have quickly constructed a parking area to alleviate the parking problems, but it is still limited. One resident stated that it is frightening to have strangers making U-turns in their driveway. Another resident, a woman, mentioned that the loud voices of the tourists are a problem. With the weather getting warmer, she would like to open her windows, but tourists start arriving before 6 in the morning and do not keep their voices down.
If this were a busy city neighborhood, the noise from the crowds would not be as noticeable. However, as it is a quiet residential area, the disruption is easily noticeable. To counteract this, the local ward has put up signs in English and Chinese, asking people not to litter and to respect the residents. According to the ward, on a busy day, there can be over 300 tourists visiting the neighborhood, and even sightseeing buses have been seen in the area. The ward is doing its best to address the complaints, and Mayor Matsumoto is appealing to tourists to be mindful of their manners when visiting the neighborhood. He believes that if foreign tourists show good manners, the residents will be more accepting of them, creating a more pleasant experience for everyone.
In light of the recent restrictions on private roads in Kyoto's Gion area, it is important for tourists to follow the rules and respect the requests of the locals. Failure to do so may lead to more stringent measures being implemented in the future.
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