Hikers wanting to take the most popular route to climb Mount Fuji will have to pay 12 euros from July to reduce crowds and increase safety on the Japanese volcano hit by overtourism, a local official said on Tuesday.
Every summer, more and more people flock to the slopes of Japan's highest mountain, which is covered in a crown of snow most of the year and attracts more than 220,000 visitors each climbing season from July to September.
Starting July 1, there will be an access fee of 2,000 yen (12 euros) per person to climb the famous volcano's Yoshida Trail. This is according to an order approved by the Yamanashi Department on Monday.
In addition, the number of people using the path will be limited to 4,000 people and access will be prohibited between 4 p.m. and 2 a.m.
“After restrictions related to the Covid pandemic were lifted, we started seeing more people. We want them to wear mountain-ready clothing and be well prepared,” Toshiaki Kasai, a ministry official, told AFP.
“We will ask visitors to keep an eye on social media for the latest information on daily visitor numbers,” he added.
Every summer, Japanese media detail how tourists attempt the climb to Mount Fuji with inadequate equipment, some sleeping along the way or lighting fires to keep warm.
Many also try to reach the summit at 3,776 m above sea level without resting and fall victim to illness or accidents.
The volcano is still active and has three other main routes that remain open. But the Yoshida Trail, which is relatively easy to reach from Tokyo, is preferred by about 60% of hikers, according to official figures.