Mount Fuji Trails to Charge ¥4,000 Entry Fee

Starting this summer, all four main trails of Mount Fuji will require an entry fee of ¥4,000, as local authorities in Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures aim to manage overcrowding and its environmental impact. Previously, only the Yoshida Trail had a fee, which has now been doubled from ¥2,000. The new fee structure is a response to a surge in tourism that has raised concerns over safety, pollution, and the preservation of Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition to the fee, restrictions such as limited access hours and reservations are being implemented to discourage 'bullet climbing,' a practice of attempting to reach the summit without resting. These measures have already resulted in a decrease in climbers from 221,322 in 2023 to 204,316 last year, though numbers remain significant. The revenue from these fees will aid in covering staffing and safety measures on the trails.