A ceremony has been held at the foot of Mount Fuji before the trails open to pray for the safety of those climbing Japan’s highest peak.
About 300 people took part in the annual ritual at a shrine in the city of Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, on Monday.
The cutting of a rope with a wooden mallet at the shrine gate marking the entrance to a climbing route signifies the opening of the trail.
Chief priest Jomonji Atsushi said congestion on the trails has become a problem, but he hopes that various measures will help create safe climbing conditions. He added that he hopes there will be no accidents during the summer climbing season.
The route on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the mountain will be open from July 1 to September 10. Restrictive measures will be in place to prevent overcrowding.
AloJapan.com