Heritage Council publishes measures to combat crowds on Mount Fuji; video and predicted crowds expected to limit climbers

Ahead of Mount Fuji’s opening this year, the Fujisan World Cultural Heritage Council, formed by prefectures including Shizuoka and Yamanashi, released an educational video and traffic congestion calendar aimed at preventing ball climbing and reducing overcrowding.

The video introduces the mountaineering control measures that both prefectures will implement this year. Climbers from Shizuoka Prefecture using three trails, including Fujinomiya, Gotemba and Subashiri, are required to register with the Shizuoka Prefecture Fuji Climbing Pre-registration System and learn “climbing manners” before climbing. At the fifth station on the Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi Prefecture, restrictions will be imposed when the number of climbers exceeds 4,000 per day, and the gate at the station will be closed from 4 p.m. to 3 a.m. A hiking fee of ¥2,000 will also be charged to all climbers using this trail.

Calendars with congestion forecasts have been published since 2017. Climbers should, as usual, focus on weekends, holidays and the days of the Bon Festival. On days marked as “Extremely Busy” on the calendar, trails near the summit around sunrise may be so busy that climbers may not be able to move forward. The council recommends climbers avoid busy days so they can walk at their own pace.

The video and calendar have been available on the council’s website and other sites since June 7. Shizuoka Prefecture officials are encouraging people to avoid crowds and climb Mount Fuji safely and comfortably.