Japanese authorities have decided to implement new measures to regulate the number of visitors climbing Mount Fuji, the world’s most famous mountain. These changes include a mandatory fee for climbers and additional restrictions aimed at preserving the natural environment and improving safety.

¥4,000 Fee for All Trails

Anyone choosing to ascend via one of the main trails—Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Gotemba, or Subashiri—will now be required to pay a fee of ¥4,000. Measure follows last year’s introduction of a fee solely for the Yoshida trail. This has now been expanded to all routes leading to the summit. In addition, all climbers must register their details in advance via a new online system, which will be available starting next month.

Time and Visitor Limits

To avoid overcrowding and enhance safety, authorities have restricted entry times to the trails between 3 AM and 2 PM. Those planning a later ascent will need to secure a reservation at one of the mountain huts.

Furthermore, a daily cap has been introduced for the number of climbers on the Yoshida trail, now limited to 4,000 people. Similar restrictions are expected to be applied to the other three trails. Still the official confirmation from Shizuoka Prefecture has yet to be announced.

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Official climbing season and recommendations

The climbing season for Mount Fuji varies depending on the trail. The Yoshida trail will be open from July 1 to September 10. The other three routes will be accessible from July 10 to September 10. Outside of these dates, climbing is not prohibited but is not recommended, except for experienced mountaineers, due to harsher weather conditions and increased risk.

Tourism impact and global trends

Over the past two years, the number of climbers on Mount Fuji has declined—200,000 people reached the summit in 2024, compared to 220,000 in 2023. However, Japan continues to face challenges related to overtourism. That is particularly the case in popular cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.

This news comes at a time when other countries are implementing similar measures. Earlier this year, Nepal announced an increase in climbing fees for Mount Everest. This trend indicates that global destinations are seeking ways to preserve their natural treasures while managing the growing number of visitors.

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