Japan will begin charging hikers a $27 fee to access all trails on Mount Fuji, in a bid to combat severe overcrowding caused by a record influx of foreign tourists. The iconic volcano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has seen a surge in footfall that has raised environmental and safety concerns among local officials.
The new policy, which is to be implemented before the next climbing season, seeks to regulate overcrowding on trails, avoid accidents, and conserve the mountain’s sensitive ecosystem. Authorities say some trails are clogged with visitors, with resulting garbage accumulation and degradation of native habitats.
Tourism authorities explained that the fee will go towards financing conservation, enhancing safety infrastructure, and supporting local communities who take care of the mountain trails. The initiative follows larger moves by Japan to reconcile tourism expansion with sustainability.
Though the move has created a mixed reaction, locals and most environmental groups have greeted the move as an imperative measure to safeguard one of Japan’s most iconic sites. Mount Fuji, which rises 3,776 meters, still attracts climbers and nature lovers across the globe.
