Japan charges fees to climb Mount Fuji to prevent overcrowding

From July 1, visitors to Mount Fuji will have to pay to climb the mountain to protect the site from overcrowding.

Mount Fuji is seeing a boom in tourists, along with concerns about the huge amount of waste visitors leave behind and the safety of hikers.

To limit waste and protect the environment, the Japanese government has decided to charge a fee and limit the number of visitors walking along the Yoshida trail - the most popular trail up Mount Fuji because it is easily accessible from Tokyo and has many places providing food and accommodation for visitors. The new regulation takes effect from July 1.

Mount Fuji Japan. Photo: Adobe Stock

The Yamanashi prefectural government, which oversees hiking activities on the mountain, said it would limit the number of hikers to 4,000 per day. Climbers will also be banned from climbing between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. to ensure safety.

In 2023, more than 221,000 people climbed Mount Fuji. More than 50% chose to go through the Yoshida trail. The surge in visitors led to a large accumulation of trash on the trail as well as congestion, leading to accidents and injuries to climbers.

Officials have not yet revealed the exact fee, but will soon announce it and plan to install a gate at the entrance to the Yoshida Trail to collect the fee. The money will be used to build shelters along the trail in case of volcanic eruptions and to support visitors to rest while climbing.

Since 2014, climbers of Mount Fuji via any trail, not just Yoshida, have been encouraged to pay a voluntary 1,000 yen (US$7.60) donation to help preserve the UNESCO-listed destination.

Fuji is over 3,700 meters high and is the highest mountain in the country, according to Japan travel. The mountain is one of the famous, sacred destinations and is revered by the Japanese people. Today, the mountain and the surrounding area are a popular destination for sightseeing, hiking, camping, and relaxation.

Anh Minh (According to Euro News )

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