TOKYO — In response to growing concerns over safety hazards and environmental degradation, authorities have implemented new restrictions for climbers scaling the revered Mount Fuji in Japan. The measures aim to address issues of overcrowding, littering, and rushed ascents that have marred the experience for both visitors and conservationists alike on the iconic stratovolcano.
Effective from July 1 to September 10, during the peak climbing season, stringent rules will govern access to the Yoshida Trail, located on the Yamanashi side of the 3,776-meter (approximately 12,300 feet) high mountain, which earned UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status in 2013.
Under the new guidelines, climbers will be required to secure a slot in advance and pay a fee. Only 4,000 individuals will be permitted to enter the trail each day, with a hiking fee set at 2,000 yen (approximately $18). Of these slots, 3,000 will be available for online reservation, while the remaining 1,000 can be booked in person on the day of the climb, as stated by the Yamanashi prefecture via the Foreign Press Center of Japan.
Moreover, climbers have the option to contribute an additional 1,000 yen (about $9) for conservation efforts. Bookings can be made through the Mount Fuji Climbing website, a platform jointly managed by the Environment Ministry and the mountain’s home prefectures, Yamanashi and Shizuoka.
Mount Fuji’s ascent is facilitated by four “5th stations,” marking the start of trails including Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba.
The new regulations mandate climbers to choose between a day hike or an overnight stay at available huts along the trail. On the day of their ascent, climbers will receive a QR code to be scanned at the 5th station. Those without reservations for an overnight hut will be directed to descend and prohibited from climbing between 4 p.m. and 3 a.m., a measure aimed at curbing “bullet climbing” — the practice of rushing to the summit without adequate rest, which poses significant safety risks.
Mount Fuji, fondly referred to as “Fujisan,” has historically been a site of pilgrimage, now attracting hikers, particularly those keen on witnessing the sunrise from its summit. However, concerns over littering, including discarded plastic bottles, food waste, and clothing, have mounted over the years.
In a statement, Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation in conserving Mount Fuji. Meanwhile, Shizuoka prefecture, southwest of Mount Fuji, has been collecting a voluntary 1,000-yen fee per climber since 2014, and is exploring additional strategies to balance tourism with environmental preservation.
According to data from the Environment Ministry, the number of climbers on Mount Fuji during the 2023 season reached 221,322, nearing pre-pandemic levels, with officials anticipating a surge in visitors this year.
The recent move comes amid broader concerns of overtourism impacting various tourist destinations across Japan, including Kyoto and Kamakura. The influx of foreign visitors following the relaxation of coronavirus pandemic restrictions, coupled with a weaker yen, has fueled the issue.
In 2023, Japan welcomed over 25 million visitors, with projections for 2024 expected to surpass nearly 32 million, surpassing the record set in 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.