The local authorities approved the introduction of an admission fee of 4000 yen (27 dollars) per visitor, to be collected from any of the four main trails of Mount Fuji, starting this previous summer. This decision was prompted by concerns related to the overloading of Japan's tallest mountain due to the increasing influx of tourists from abroad.
"Last year, the local authorities of Yamanashi, where Mount Fuji is located, already established a fee of 2000 yen (approximately 14 dollars), as well as voluntary donations for the popular Yoshida trail, one of the most famous hiking routes in this active volcanic area," the official statement reports.
In order to ensure safety and prevent negative impacts on the surrounding environment from the influx of visitors, which will be limited to places that are allowed to be visited weekly, an online reservation system for this route will also be implemented.
This year, the fee for ascending the Yoshida route will be increased from July to September. Additionally, the neighboring prefecture of Shizuoka adopted a project to introduce a fee of 4000 yen for its three trails, which were previously free of charge.
Mount Fuji is covered with snow for a large part of the year, but in the summer season, visitors often climb its steep slopes at night to see the sunrise.
