One side of Japan’s Mount Fuji has opened to climbers striking out for the peak from the mountain’s fifth stage in Yamanashi Prefecture.
The mountain opened on Tuesday from the Yamanashi side for the summer climbing season.
Past seasons have seen problems such as people attempting to reach the top of the mountain in all-night so-called “bullet” climbs, with inconsiderate behavior and crowding near the summit also becoming issues.
In response, Yamanashi Prefecture imposed restrictions for the summer season last year by installing a gate at the climbing entrance at the fifth stage.
This year’s measures include a daily limit of 4,000 climbers and a charge of 4,000 yen, or about 28 dollars, each. It is also closing the climbing trail from 2 p.m. until 3 a.m. the following day.
Climbers from Japan and overseas visited the fifth stage on Tuesday, showing the QR codes they received when making advance reservations and paying the fee at the entrance. They then showed the wristbands they received to security guards and began their climb to the top.
Yamanashi Prefecture said that as of 11 a.m. a total of 1,118 people had made reservations for Tuesday, and 200 people were accepted on the day. It said 731 people had passed through the fifth stage gate.
One man in his 20s from Saitama Prefecture who came with a work colleague said he thinks the restrictions can’t be helped, given that they are meant to prevent what he called dangerous “bullet” climbing.
A university student from Aichi Prefecture said the 4,000-yen fee is tough on students. But he said Mount Fuji is a precious mountain for Japan and its environment should be preserved.
The climbing season runs to September 10 and Shizuoka Prefecture will open its side of the mountain to climbers on July 10.
AloJapan.com