Climbers using the most popular trail on Mount Fuji are expected to be slugged with a doubled fee of 4,000 yen from next summer as the Yamanashi prefectural government seeks to tackle overcrowding, a source close to the matter said Thursday.
The prefectural government also plans to move forward the closing time of the entrance gate at the trail's 5th station by two hours to 2 p.m., to discourage overnight "bullet climbing," or trying to reach the summit of Japan's tallest mountain without resting.
The plan comes as Shizuoka Prefecture, which manages three trails to the 3,776-meter peak, is also preparing to impose a 4,000 yen climbing fee while restricting trail access from 2 p.m. starting next summer.
Mount Fuji, designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, attracts hundreds of thousands of climbers each year during its official climbing season from July to early September.
Revenue from the climbing fees will be used to cover staffing costs and safety measures. Yamanashi Prefecture plans to stop soliciting separate 1,000 yen donations from climbers used to help in the upkeep of the mountain, the source said.
The Yamanashi government introduced the 2,000 yen fee for climbing the mountain and a limit of 4,000 climbers per day this year. A gate was installed at the 5th station of the Yoshida Trail, restricting access from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. the next day, except for climbers with reservations at mountain lodges.
© KYODO
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factchecker
As in an earlier post, ¥4000 won't make a shred of difference. Those muppets looking to tick this off their bucket list would pay ¥400 000 if it meant they got to do it. Close the trail if it's such a big problem.
sakurasuki
Japan becoming more and more like third world country where govt really rely on tourist fee to survive, at least in this case local govt really need that money.
tora
This feels increase has little to do with tackling overcrowding. It's revenue gathering under the guise of keeping nimbers down. If to were just about numbered they'd keep the fee the same and just move the cut off time to 2pm.
And just what are these "safety" measures are they proposing? One long fence on either side of the trail right to the very top? Actually, ironically that wpuld be one way to reduce numbers. They're determined to turn Fuji into an eyesore.
Geeter Mckluskie
The government should charge a ¥10,000 entry fee to the country. Disguise it as an ESTA type pre-vetting requirement. Then put those funds in the nenkin kitty, that way the entire nation benefits from the influx of tourism.
Geeter Mckluskie
More of this for the public coffers. Please
Antiquesaving
Well Japan is fast on its way to being another underdeveloped country tourists trap!
Lets be factual, no over tourism, this is bull, in the 2010s they had no problem handling 350,000 to over 400,000 people and now they claim 230,000 is too many.
And remember if this applies to everyone and not just foreigners, it will price many Japanese out, ¥4,000 plus the cost of staying at one of the stations ¥10,000 to ¥14,000 this will make more Japanese avoid it than tourists from outside Japan.
What next? "Officially photographer" at Shibuya scramble, or at the top of Fuji, where you can only get a photo if you pay them in a certain location only?
Newgirlintown
I think I’ve lost count of the number of people calling Japan the new Thailand.
Antiquesaving
Ah the gatekeeper!
Imagine had they been doing that in the years all of the foreigners here on this site arrived.
Yeah I know, we are special, right?
Oh and when the grandparents of the mixed kids come to visit lets charge them twice the amount because they will spend less as they will just use up more resources.
Got to love the foreigner gatekeepers.
Antiquesaving
Well if we listen and read what many here keep saying to do, Japan will more likely be the new Nepal or Bhutan.
Charge fees to enter the country in the thousands of dollars, minimum amount to spend, reservation to climb costing thousands, plus expenses.
asdfghjkl
Isn’t it right for the local government to profit from their attractions and isn’t it right for the local government to charge more for the reasons Mt Fuji is overcrowded…..ie tourism from outside Japan. Fully support this.
SomeWeeb
We already had this conversation. 3/4ths of the fee just goes to fatcats in buildings and no local investment is to be made. Scam.
Meiyouwenti
A very sensible move—increase the climbing fee to solve the overcrowding. You can decrease it when you want to attract more climbers. If you think 4000 yen fee is a ripoff, just stay home or go somewhere else.
kurisupisu
Japan is a tourist trap;it became one a long time ago.
Negative Nancy
I cannot see how an increase in fees is going to deter anyone from going. People will pay it. This is a gaijin tax.
HappySmiles
Better idea:
On top of the Fuji fee, charge each of the 33 million entering visitors a ¥10,000 Japan-entry tax and use the proceeds to give each adult resident of Japan a ¥3,000 tolerance payment.
Geeter Mckluskie
I would have paid the $80 Canadian without so much as a bat of an eyelash.
Chico3
Like the US.
Geeter Mckluskie
￥10,000 is $63
Pukey2
Glad I went up over 20 years ago. Beautiful. Sea of clouds, and never have I seen so many stars in the night sky. But even then, there was a line of people waiting at the top. You know what they say - everyone has to climb MF once, but you'd be a fool to do it twice.
James
It's more of a nature tax.
Antiquesaving
There is no overcrowding.
That is a fake reason.
Fact: 2023 had 230,000 climbers.
2007 to 2013 had 300,000 to 430,000 climbers each year and no complaints and dangers overcrowding, etc... this is all Bull.....
But it isn't going to be the oversees tourists this is going to hurt it is going to be the Japanese.
Foreign tourists save to come and prepare for an often once in a lifetime trip.
But the Japanese living here will now need to fork up ¥ 20,000 extra to go to the top. ¥4,000 to enter, plus stay fees ¥12,000 to ¥14,000 plus buying expensive water because no way to remain over night without drink.
kurisupisu
As long as most foreigners stay in overcrowded cities and patronize convenience stores whilst becoming stars on social media then it’s all good for me…
Antiquesaving
Why do so many here insist on repeating to debunked "over tourism" "overcrowded" fake information?
All anyone with half a brain has to do is check the stats.
Fuji had far more climbers in nearly every year from 2006 up to when the pandemic started.
And by far more we are talking over 100,000 more per year.
So please stop with the fake over tourism and over crowded. Just say what it is an attempted to get foreigners money and admit most of those here saying block people from coming, charge tourists entry, no need for more tourists, etc.. you are just worried about people in Japan realizing that the Gaijin in our company, down the street, the ALT, etc...isnt special.
didou
It might discourage overnight climbing, but not trying to reach the summit without resting.
Otherwise, they would have also tried to stop all the trail runners doing it frequently
browny1
Fees are pretty normal in other places esp for world heritage sites.
Uluru (Ayers Rock) charges a similar fee of about $Au40 to enter the national park.
Yellowstone in US charges about $A30 to enter - I think.
Going to the movies in Japan and having popcorn and drink will set you back 50% = 75% of the Fuji fee.
Seeing a major exhibition in a museum costs money. I saw Monet show earlier this year in Osaka - cost ￥2500.
None of these are so extravagant.
Be nice if everything was free - but if you don't want to pay then simply find another activity to enjoy.
Geeter Mckluskie
I think the "gaijin" viewed as something "special" hasn't been a thing since the 1980s. You can't swing a cat without hitting a gaijin in Japan. I say welcome to all those interested in Japan. Just keep in mind that the elderly are struggling and that the working class is bearing the burden, so if you're really interested in Japan then how about kicking $63 into the kitty while you're dropping thousands just to get here?
WoodyLee
No one really cares anymore
Those who love the site will pay whatever the price is, and those who don't care just DON"T, with the yen hitting 157/$ any tourist could afford it but not the locals.
proxy
I "bullet climbed" Fuji at the age of 50 without issue. The warnings about "bullet climbing" are just a scam to force people into paying to use a rest house. Fuji is actually a pretty easy hike up a well used trail; it can hardly be called climbing.
Antiquesaving
And this is who's problem?
So what you want is for foreigners to come pay for the problems in Japan.
Interesting!
リッチ
Close the entrance at 2pm? Why do Japanese always just need to piss people off and being dramatic all the time. Let’s think. Are there places to stay along the mountain die the number of people climbing. lol no. Is it frankly a walking line to the top. Yes. It is miserable yes. So all the tour operators that leave st 6pm will be out of a job. So share. Let’s keep this customer focused enjoy Japan attitude in check. Things they should remember. People want to come here and if they get pissed off then they go home and tell everyone what a joke it was. Kind of like how so many employees and students are here. Will they ever learn heavy handed control doesn’t work in this day and age.
リッチ
Close the entrance at 2pm? Why do Japanese always just need to piss people off and being dramatic all the time. Let’s think. Are there places to stay along the mountain able to handle the number of people climbing. lol no. Is it frankly a walking line to the top. Yes. It is miserable yes. So all the tour operators that leave at 6pm will be out of a job. So share. Let’s keep this customer focused enjoy Japan attitude in check. Things they should remember. People want to come here and if they get pissed off then they go home and tell everyone what a joke it was. Kind of like how so many employees and students are here. Will they ever learn heavy handed control doesn’t work in this day and age.
Forgotten
I think I would even go as high as 10'000 Yen. To climb the Mount Fuji shouldn't be a tourist attraction anyways.
Geeter Mckluskie
It's Japan's problem.
Yes, I want foreign travellers to Japan to pay a ￥10,000 ($63) entry fee...to enter Japan.
Dave Fair
Mount Fuji access fees to be doubled as authorities address overcrowding
If they stated the reason as to create revenue to for infrastructure projects to maintain the mountain and enhance safety at the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site people would get behind that. But what this is all about is to regain the lost revenue due to the restrictions on the number of climbers and a chance to add more to their coffers.
iron man
Other nations are clamouring for tourists to bring their bucks. inc. East Asia. If jpn has an attraction that the s/p photo addicted are willing to take out a mortgage for.... just be a very assisting aid. Caveat controlled by jpn, then charge an airport arrival fee shin foreigner fee. Expo +++. come on gals and guys you live in jpn 'cos it is special. Shock next time I arrive Kansai, I got a fee coming anyway.
dobre vam zajebava
make it 10000jpy better.
Nibek32
Just charge the people with tourist visas. They are the ones creating over crowding, damaging property, and will be happy to pay it.
kyotoamigo
I was curious about claims in comments above that there were more climbers in the past, given that the current narrative is that there are suddenly far too many people going up and something must be done.
I did a quick search and found stats from 1981 on;
https://www.fujisan-net.jp/post_detail/2001038
Low and behold, from 2008 to 2017 except for one year ( bad weather in the summer?) there were more climbers than now.
Why then is it now said that there are too many climbers?
The only reason I can think of is that suddenly foreigners make up a high proportion of those going up....
itsonlyrocknroll
Mount Fuji requires a skilled competent marketing strategy team.
A public relations strategy that's principal focus is to build rapport and create a positive image to the public.
This whole article is a failure to recognise promote the premium value that climbing Mount Fuji offers as a life experience.
Sandoval
I will sound like a broken record every time this topic is mentioned. Bullet climbing is not an issue. People climbing without any skills and proper equipment are. And as long as people working at the gates are not using their heads but constantly only following “bullet climbing bad” rule nothing will change the situation. During the approaching typhoon they were letting people in jeans and everyday clothes up the mountain which is highly irresponsible from their part. But at least those people were not bullet climbing
falseflagsteve
Close it, it’s dangerous and many people have accidents and some have died.
Speed
The more I read reports like this and see the situation in Japan changing, I really do think the old days of the 60s, 70s, and 80s Japan was much better.
Raf
Tough one here. Let me share my experience.
Climbed twice Fuji San, this year and last year. Both cases went one week after the season was closed. Did a bullet climbing (I know it is not recommended but I listened to my body). First time I turned down at the 8th station due to cramps. Second time managed to climb to the top.
In both cases, there was still a lot of visitors (most Japanese). Some of them were clearly not prepared (lady with crop top, sport shoes and 50cl water bottle).
From my humble experience, Japan should first of all extend the season till end of September, weather is virtually the same ( positive side from global warming) and then just spread the climbers over the 4 routes... Issues are there because 80pc people choose the Yoshida trail. So yes Japan increase the fee then work on the other 3 routes to build more huts and then spread people around. There will be no congestions.
Dango bong
in COVID this country complained about the lack of tourist and begged them to come. Now they complain that there are too many rude foreigners here. Double charge them, block the views, eventually nobody will want to come here.
itsonlyrocknroll
Mount Fuji one of natures truly spectacular wonder creations, the experience of tackling such a climb is considered by may hundreds of thousands to be a once in a lifetime goal experiences.
Now how long will it take for these bureaucrats to work that out, and manage that experience to leverage a very lucrative revenue stream.
Mirchy
If your goal is to reach the top of Mount Fuji, 4000 yen should not be a problem (considering that a trip to Japan costs approx. 3500 €). However, if the cost is an obstacle, take the Fujinomiya trail, which is also shorter and can be climbed in one day. It took me eight hours this august.
Antiquesaving
Low and behold, you posted online Yamanashi prefecture side.
But thank you.
2023 total number of climbers from all trail (that includes the other prefecture trails you missed) was 230,000
Your little post.
2008 Yamanashi side only 247,006
go look again this time get all the information.
Antiquesaving
So let's look at all the numbers.
All trails.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/729744/mount-fuji-mountaineer-number-japan/
This only starts 2010
2010 Total 320,000
https://factsanddetails.com/japan/cat25/sub165/entry-6554.html#:~:text=About%20300%2C000%20people%20make%20the%20ascent%20to%20Fuji%20s%20summit%20every%20year.
Today all trails.
2023: 221,000
2024: 204,000
Now for your numbers on Yamanashi only.
2007: 194,000
2008:247,000
2009: 242:000
2022: 115,000 (funny no stats for 2023)
Notice 2008 in Yamanashi was 247,000 but 2022 was 115,000 and the total of all prefectures in 2022
So the number of climbers on the Yamanashi side in 2008 was more that the total of all prefectures in 2023 and 2024 by more than 200,000.
GuruMick
Hmm...its not a small mountain....I just spent the day driving to Shizuoka City .....wife drove back....complaining about how the Fuji view was a distraction from her driving.
Make climbing socially/ culturally a very valued practice.....not a "bucket list " ...for the yuppies and instagram....Charge for small tours....collect the trash....and resurrect what Fuji represents
Dan Walsh
I've said it for the last two years. US $300 adjusted by county. Those from struggling counties pay less.
Dislike all you want but the overcrowding is terrible for everyone who lives here. It's not gatekeeping it's crowd control and funding for improved transport options.
I've been here for 12 years and I've never seen so many disrespectful tourists than this last year.
I was lucky e enough to climb Fuji before it became a thing. This fee to Clive Fuji should only apply to tourist.