In an effort to combat pollution and preserve the environment, Japan will be implementing a fee and visitor cap at Mount Fuji, starting July 1, 2024. This decision is made in response to an increase in visitor numbers in recent years, which has led to issues such as discarded rubbish and concerns over hiker safety.
The new measures will be applied to the Yoshida trail, the most popular route up Mount Fuji. Hikers will be required to pay a fee of roundabout ¥2,000 (approximately US$15) and will be limited to a daily quota of 4,000 people. Climbers will also be prohibited from starting the climb between 4 pm and 2 am.
The exact fee hasn’t been told yet, but they aim to share it by February. They’re thinking of putting up a gate at the start of the Yoshida trail where people will pay. The money from the fee will be used to build shelters and take care of the trail, especially getting ready for a volcanic eruption.
II. Government Goals:
The Yamanashi prefectural government, which oversees hiking activities at the UNESCO World Heritage site, hopes that the new measures will help to reduce pollution and improve safety conditions on the mountain. The fee will be used to fund environmental conservation efforts, such as waste disposal and trail maintenance.
The limit on the number of visitors is meant to reduce overcrowding on the Yoshida trail, which can become jammed during peak season.
The ban on starting the climb at night is designed to reduce the risk of accidents, as many climbers have gotten lost or injured in the dark in the past.
III. Public Reaction:
Some local businesses are unsure about the new rules, thinking they might discourage tourists.
While environmental and mountain groups are happy with this decision, saying that it is necessary to protect Mount Fuji for future generations.
IV. Reason behind This Step:
Mount Fuji experienced a huge increase in Visitors Number Last Year. In 2013, Mount Fuji became a special cultural place recognized by the World Heritage Committee (UNESCO). Since then, more and more visitors have been coming to explore it.
In 2023, a lot of people, specifically 221,322, climbed Mount Fuji. More than half of them, over 50 percent, choose the Yoshida trail to reach the top.
More people coming to Mount Fuji has caused more mess on the trail and traffic jams, leading to accidents and injuries. Also, there’s worry about new hikers facing problems near the top because there are fewer facilities.
Last year, Japan decided to improve its transport system and charge higher costs to cope with the over tourism.
Last year, lots of people visited Japan, almost like before the pandemic. The National Tourism Organization (JNTO) said Japan had more than two million visitors from other countries every month for four months in a row, which is almost as many as in 2019.
In June last year, Japan’s travel and tourism industry was about 6.8 percent, below than the highest point before the pandemic, which was $306.5 billion (JPY 40.3 trillion) in 2019. This info comes from a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
It is hoped that the new fee and visitor cap will help to strike a balance between protecting Mount Fuji and allowing people to enjoy its beauty.
Mount Fuji is a sacred mountain in Japan and is a popular destination for both domestic and international tourists. The mountain is also an important part of Japanese culture and is often featured in art, literature, and film.
Implementing a fee and visitor cap at Mount Fuji is a significant step in Japan’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism. We hope other countries will do the same thing and take action to keep their natural wonders safe.
I'm Eman Fatima, the owner of eftory.com. As a travel blogger and history teacher, I'm on a mission to explore my planet's beauty and hidden treasures while sharing the history behind destinations. Along with this, I want to make travel easy and hassle-free for adventurers across the globe.
