A brand new hotspot has emerged in Japan: The ‘Fuji Dream Bridge’ alongside Shizuoka’s Route 139, the place international vacationers are risking life and limb to comply with the most recent TikTook craze.

Since November final 12 months, stairs that seem to steer on to Mount Fuji have been trending on social media.

A vacationer from Thailand stated, “I saw it on TikTok, introduced as a famous photo spot.”

A vacationer from Turkey remarked, “The mountain and stairs align beautifully. I ended up taking about 100 photos to capture every moment.”

One Turkish man’s favourite picture is a pose on the prime of the steps with Mount Fuji within the background. Some vacationers even sit in line to attend their flip.

A vacationer from Brazil talked about, “I want to take a photo on the stairs, but I’m waiting because of the crowd.”

Finally, it was a Brazilian lady’s flip to start out her picture session.

When requested if she obtained a superb shot, she replied, “Yes, I did.”

Dangerous Photography on the Roadway

The pleasure is not restricted to the steps. Many international vacationers additionally flock to the bridge to seize the majestic view of Mount Fuji. However, some sit on limitations between the sidewalk and roadway, lean out for poses, or cross the highway to the median for photographs.

Despite warning indicators towards crossing, two ladies had been seen taking photographs in the midst of the highway whereas automobiles rigorously maneuvered round them.

A household was noticed within the median, with a father making a giant soar for a photograph. Another group took commemorative photographs whereas posing in the midst of the roadway. Some drivers parked at gaps within the pylons meant to forestall roadside parking to take photos.

From a driver’s perspective, the state of affairs is harmful as vacationers engrossed in images would possibly abruptly step onto the highway.

A Chinese vacationer, pulling a suitcase whereas taking photographs on the highway, commented, “I know it’s dangerous, but I think it’s okay because no cars are coming, so everyone is taking photos there.”

The Shizuoka National Highway Office, overseeing Fuji Dream Bridge, is contemplating putting in fences to forestall entry into non-pedestrian areas.

Littering and Trespassing Add to Nuisances

The nuisance conduct extends past the bridge. Litter is scattered close by, and a few households trespass on non-public land to play. Despite obtainable parking, some automobiles are parked on the road.

A neighborhood resident expressed frustration: “This is a private road, but with so many cars, they’re turning around here, damaging our flower beds. We never know when a car might hit our house. It’s really annoying. The noise is also a problem, especially with windows open. It’s very disruptive, especially early in the morning.”

In response to the sudden inflow of international vacationers, Fuji City officers have taken measures like putting in multilingual indicators and barricades to forestall unlawful parking, and shortly establishing extra parking areas.

Mount Fuji Entry Regulations Announced

Overcrowding on Mount Fuji has been an issue, with the path full of climbers and headlights stretching up the mountain. There have been quite a few cases of inappropriate conduct resembling climbing with insufficient gear and lighting fires.

To tackle these points, Yamanashi Prefecture introduced new laws on May 13, together with a 2,000 yen payment for the Yoshida Route from July and a every day cap of 4,000 climbers. A reservation system can be launched, beginning on the twentieth.

Footage from final 12 months confirmed lengthy queues of individuals aiming for the summit, barely making progress.

Patrol officers requested climbers resting in restricted areas to maneuver, to which one international climber responded, “I understand, but we can’t go all at once. Look at this.”

With the rise in climbers, many mountain huts had been absolutely booked.

A bunch of international vacationers stated they deliberate to climb with out securing lodging, aiming for a continuous ascent. Others had been seen sitting or mendacity immediately on the bottom exterior mountain huts.

Visitors to the fifth station had combined reactions to the entry laws.

A Chinese resident of Japan said, “Charging a fee is normal. There are climbing fees in China too, around 1,500 yen depending on the mountain.”

A Polish vacationer commented, “If I came to climb but was told I couldn’t because of the regulations, I’d be disappointed. That doesn’t sound good.”

Mixed Reactions to Mountain Railway Proposal

Another proposal to ease Mount Fuji’s congestion is the “Mountain Railway Plan.”

The plan entails introducing a low-vibration, low-noise mild rail transit (LRT) system on the toll highway connecting the bottom of the mountain to the fifth station. This would management the variety of guests and cut back congestion.

Additionally, proscribing basic autos, together with buses and taxis, would assist cut back emissions.

Governor Kotaro Nagasaki of Yamanashi Prefecture said, “This won’t destroy nature. We’ll lay the tracks on the existing road, so there’s no need for new tunnels or large-scale deforestation.”

However, considerations in regards to the unstable terrain vulnerable to avalanches and landslides have been raised.

Karine Watanabe, who initiated a petition towards the railway, stated, “With electric buses available, there’s no need to destroy nature for a railway.”

Source: ANN