Japan’s Shizuoka Prefectural Government is contemplating the introduction of climbing fees for those ascending Mount Fuji via three distinct trails. This measure aims to manage and restrict the influx of climbers starting next summer, following the precedent set by the neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture. On August 27, an official disclosed this information to the Kyodo News agency.
Background and Current Practices
Mt. Fuji, straddling the borders of Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, is one of Japan’s most iconic landmarks and a popular destination for climbers. While Yamanashi Prefecture has already implemented several measures to regulate climbing activities, including a ban on overnight ascents known as ‘bullet climbing,’ Shizuoka has yet to introduce similar initiatives. Currently, Shizuoka relies on a preregistration system where hikers submit plans, including ascent start times and reservations for mountainside huts.
Proposed Measures in Shizuoka
Shizuoka is evaluating various methods to limit access and manage the environmental impact on Mt. Fuji. This evaluation phase is set to continue until November. The prefecture plans to earmark 37 million yen (approximately $256,000) to estimate the costs for implementing controls on hikers. These controls could include collecting entrance fees for using the Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and Subashiri trails. The difficulty in imposing regulations has partly been due to the trails not being on prefectural land.
Comparison with Yamanashi Prefecture
In contrast, Yamanashi Prefecture has set up substantial measures such as installing gates on the Yoshida trail to restrict access from 4 PM to 3 AM for hikers without mountain hut reservations. Additionally, a fee of 2,000 yen per climber is collected for using the Yoshida trail, with a daily cap of 4,000 hikers. These efforts aim to deter unsafe climbing practices and manage the number of climbers effectively.
Next Steps
The Shizuoka Prefectural Government aims to study and potentially implement a new ordinance to collect entrance fees, drawing from Yamanashi’s regulatory measures. This development signals a collective effort in managing and preserving Mt. Fuji’s environment while ensuring climbers’ safety.
