Japan’s Yamanashi prefectural government, responsible for overseeing hiking activities on Mount Fuji, is implementing both a toll and a daily limit on the number of individuals permitted to climb the iconic mountain. The Yoshida trail, a popular route for Mount Fuji hiking in Japan, has witnessed a surge in visitor numbers, leading to issues such as trash accumulation and injuries among inexperienced climbers due to limited facilities at the summit.
Toll, daily cap, and additional regulations starting July 1: Key details
The local government in Japan aims to restrict the number of climbers to 4,000 per day on the Yoshida Trail, located in the northern part of Mount Fuji. This cap will be effective from July 1, 2024, marking the beginning of the 70-day summer climbing season. Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, during a press conference on December 20, 2023, announced several additional regulations, as reported by The Japan Times.
Among these regulations is an undisclosed toll amount for constructing shelters, intended for use in the event of a volcanic eruption, and for maintaining the hiking routes. Another rule prohibits climbers from starting their ascent on the trail between 4:00 pm and 2:00 am.
The exact toll amount will be determined in February 2024. These measures are designed to alleviate congestion on the Yoshida Trail and ensure its cleanliness, particularly given the limited public utilities at the summit. Safety concerns are also addressed, focusing on inexperienced climbers and those attempting a rapid ascent without proper rest.
Mount Fuji, standing at 12,388 feet, achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2013. In 2023, a total of 221,322 climbers ascended Mount Fuji, with a significant 137,236 choosing the Yoshida Trail.
This article first appeared on Travel + Leisure India
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