Chaos and anger in Japan as 1,000 tourists a day pose for pictures on new bridge

Residents in have complained about the surge in visitors to Fuji after the construction of a new bridge that offers views of one of the country's most iconic landmarks. The 'Mt Fuji Dream Bridge', which is officially named Fujisan Yume No hashi Bridge, is located in Fuji, Shizuoka and offers an unparalleled backdrop for photos in front of the famous Mt Fuji. It was designed as a tourist attraction, but now locals say they are paying the price as becomes an issue.

The bridge spans two public roads and was completed in 2016 in a Government-backed bid to promote the area to tourists. Due to its scenic backdrop with uninterrupted views of the iconic mountain, the bridge has become a hit on social media, leading to a surge in visitors to the area. On peak days, the bridge draws over 1,000 visitors, which is proving to be a pain for those who live in the area.

Residents have reported issues such as illegal parking and trespassing onto private property. Some have said they have had to put up their own warning signs to battle these behaviours.

Other reported issues in the area as a result of the bridge include overcrowding and noise pollution, while local narrow streets can't cope with the number of cars that pass through every day.

The Government has taken several steps to mitigate these issues, such as erecting signs in various languages asking visitors to be respectful of locals and providing a free parking area. However, neither of these issues seems to have satisfied locals, who say they are still struggling with overtourism.

Mt Fuji is Japan's tallest peak. It is an active and is located around 62 miles southwest of the country's capital, . The volcano is an impressive sight and has proven to be a hugely popular attraction for visitors to Japan, amplified by the opening of this 'dream bridge' nine years ago.

Overtourism issues have persisted for some time in Fuji. Last year, officials were forced to construct a barrier on a reservation in the middle of a motorway to deter tourists from standing there illegally.

Similar issues have been experienced in other areas with views of Mt Fuji, such as the Lawson Convenience Store in Fujikawaguchiko, where officials had to erect a fence around the shop to stop crowds from gathering outside it.