Japan set to charge Mount Fuji climbers entry fees on all trails to curb overtourism
Japan will introduce a ¥4,000 (or about £20 ) entry fee for all four main trails of Mount Fuji starting this summer to tackle overcrowding.
Previously, only the Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi prefecture had a ¥2,000 (or about £10) fee. Now, Shizuoka prefecture will also charge for its three trails, which were previously free. Shizuoka is home to three of Mount Fuji's four main climbing trails – Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba.
The entry fee will charged from this summer after local authorities passed a bill on Monday, The Japan Times reported. Yoshida Trail's entry fee will double.
Japan's iconic mountain has seen a surge in tourists in recent years, sparking concerns over overcrowding, pollution, and disruptive behaviour by tourists.
Last year, Japan started collecting entry fees of ¥2,000 (£10) per head from people climbing the famous volcano to limit the number of trekkers to Mount Fuji. A gate was installed at the entrance to the Yoshida Trail, also known as the fifth station, on the Yamanashi side of Mount Fuji, standing at 3,776m.
The gate began collecting fees from climbers starting 1 July last year, marking the beginning of the year's climbing season.
The implementation of this fee collection was aimed at managing overcrowding near the summit of the mountain, the Yamanashi prefectural assembly said at the time.
Climbers were required to allocate as much as ¥3,000 (or £15.60) per person for their climb, which included a voluntary contribution of ¥1,000 (or £5) dedicated to the conservation efforts of the mountain, recognised as a Unesco World Heritage site.
For the 2024 season, up until mid-September, the newly installed gate operated with limited hours also, closing at 4pm and reopening at 3am the next day.
Due in part to the new restrictions implemented last year, the number of climbers on Mount Fuji dropped to 204,316 last year from 221,322 in 2023, according to environment ministry data.
While this remains below pre-pandemic levels, officials note that '200,000 hikers is still huge', officials say.
Natsuko Sodeyama, a Shizuoka prefecture official, said: 'There is no other mountain in Japan that attracts that many people in the span of just over two months. So some restrictions are necessary to ensure their safety.'
For centuries, Mount Fuji has been a sacred site for Shinto and Buddhist pilgrims, with a shrine at its summit dedicated to Konohanasakuya-hime, the mountain's Shinto goddess.
Last year, to deter crowds from gathering for photos, the town of Fujikawaguchiko in Yamanashi installed a large black screen along a pavement, obstructing a popular view of Mount Fuji. The black mesh screen was installed after locals grew frustrated with foreign tourists littering, trespassing, and violating traffic rules in pursuit of the perfect social media photo.
The official climbing season lasts from July to September, with over 200,000 hikers attempting the summit annually. Many make the overnight trek to witness the sunrise from the peak.
According to the World History Encyclopedia, dreaming of Mount Fuji is considered a sign of good fortune in Japan. Beyond the shrines on the mountain itself, more than 13,000 shrines across Japan are reported to be dedicated to Mt Fuji. Many feature small-scale replicas of the mountain, allowing those unable to climb the real peak to make a symbolic pilgrimage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Live
5 hours ago
- North Wales Live
The Gwynedd pub with one of the best views in North Wales
Few pubs enjoy the stunning location of The Anglesey Arms in Caernarfon. Mere yards from the domineering Edward I's Caernarfon Castle - a tourist-luring UNESCO World Heritage Site - and a short flight from the Eagle Tower dating from 1317, it gives lucky punters commanding views of the clear waters of the Menai Strait. From one of many outdoor tables customers can gaze over the lapping eddies, with kelp swaying merrily under the surface, to Pont yr Aber pedestrian swing bridge, the Afon Seiont, Coed Helen, a nature reserve, and the gentle coastline of Anglesey beyond. One visitor took to Tripadvisor to give this emphatic verdict: "There is outdoor seating which, when the weather is right, offers you that breathtaking view. Just. Fantastic." They weren't wrong. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Its waterside location is undoubtedly enviably good but what about the food? I went along on a gloriously sunny Wednesday lunchtime to find out what visitors can expect. Despite some outdoor tables being free, I opted against eating al fresco. Some of us catch the sun too easily, so I went inside. You're confronted by a suit of armour in the doorway looking like a kind of metallic bouncer, perhaps in keeping with the Medieval environs. It was pleasantly cool inside the pub and fairly empty. So I sat at a plain, wooden table by the window. There is a surprisingly vast range of meals on the menu. It's all fairly predictable but sounds appetising. There are sandwiches, (a fish finger sandwich on white or multigrain bloomer bread with shredded iceberg lettuce and tartare sauce costs £8.99), baguettes and jacket potatoes and so on. There's scampi & chips (six wholetails of Whitby scampi with chips, garden pies and tartare sauce is £8.49) or cheddar, leek and potato pie (at the rather specific price of £13.79). But I fancied the Hunter's chicken baguette with chips, and ordered it at the bar. When it came it looked fine but I wondered if I should have ordered a salad to go with it. Still the chicken was coated in peppery breadcrumbs and tender. A rasher of bacon was tastily salty and the barbecue sauce was delicious It fell down though because the toasted baguette was unfortunately too dry and too chewy. There was only a trace of what could once have been butter or margarine. I devoured the chicken, bacon and cheese but left most of the doughy bread. Turning to the dessert menu, I hoped for better things.. The Dark chocolate and mint tart seemed appealing so I went back to the bar and ordered that one with vanilla ice cream. It also comes with custard or cream alternatives. It looked OK with icing latticework, and the tart contrasted nicely with the ice cream. It was satisfactorily gooey but the billed "chocolate biscuit base" rather flattered to deceive. There was barely a digestive in the whole concoction. The dessert was more of a mousse than a tart but it was nonetheless rich and chocolatey. Thirsty customers can take advantage of a range of beers here too. Wainwright Gold and Pedigree Ale vie with Inch's Cider, Birra Moretti and Peroni lagers to tempt you. Decor wise you'll see nods to Caernarfon's maritime heritage. Near my table there were two deep sea diving helmets on window sills, a ship's wheel on a wall and three oars, wrapped in thick coils of rope, on the ceiling with orange filament lights dangling charmingly below them. It's a memorable venue in a stunning location. The facts Location: The Anglesey Arms, Tyn-y-Cae, Harbour Front, Caernarfon LL55 1SG. ring 01286 672158. Food: A vast range of dishes including grills, burgers, jacket potatoes sandwiches. The bill: Hunter's chicken baguette (£8.99), Dark chocolate and mint tart (£6.29). orange cordial (50p) and Americano coffee (£2.05). Total: £17.83.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful European seaside city ignored by tourists where locals go on holiday
This seaside city is one of Italy's best-kept secrets as it's where all the native Italian people will go for a holiday - and it's a little-known destination for tourists This idyllic Italian seaside spot is a holiday haven for locals - but tourists don't know it exists. Rimini, a city in northern Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, has been a firm favourite holiday destination for Italians of all generations, yet it remains untouched by tourists. The coastal region, which is home to traditional fishing village Borgo San Giuliano, a popular area for restaurants, with tables overlooking the river. It also has over 150 beach clubs, along with other restaurants, parks, gyms and more. With a mix of brightly coloured quaint buildings that look like something straight out of a fairytale, and it's one of Italy's best kept secrets. Known as the jewel in the crown of the northern region, the "Rimini Riviera" is home to 40 kilometres (24.8 miles) of picturesque coastlines. More of an off-the-beaten-path destination rather than somewhere made for tourists, Rimini is perfect for those who fancy immersing themselves in true Italian culture. Neighbouring the bustling Tuscany, it's definitely somewhere that should be on your radar. With plenty of food options as well as cultural activities including eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments dotted across the city - showcasing beautiful mosaics on display at the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and The Basilica of San Vitale. It's also famous for being a foodie hotspot. Rimini is known for perfecting simple dishes and executing them well - as it makes the most of being close to both the sea and the hills. Stretching from the Apennine mountains to the Po river in the north, this verdant region is the birthplace of many of Italy's most famous produce. These include Modena's balsamic vinegar, Prosciutto, Parmesan cheese and, naturally, Bolognese. This region also boasts picturesque mountains, medieval architecture and globally renowned architectural wonders. In May, temperatures reach highs of 22C, while in August, you're looking at a toasty 29C, and now it's easier than ever to visit thanks to new flight paths from the UK. British Airways has launched new flights three times a week departing from Heathrow on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Budget airline EasyJet also offers flights to the region, with twice-weekly flights from London Gatwick. EasyJet also offer a number of places to stay in a package deal, including the Hotel St Gregory Park in San Giuliano a Mare, Milano Marittima's Grand Hotel Gallia, and Cesenatico's five-star Grand Hotel Da Vinci. "With sunshine and one of Italy's largest beaches, vibrant nightlife for couples and rich in history and culture, we're confident that Rimini will be popular with holidaymakers," commented Paul Bixby, EasyJet's chief commercial officer, as reported by Metro.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Everything you need to know about the world's top hotel brands
What does Six Senses Gangtey Lodge, a wellness retreat set in a glacial valley amid the mist-covered mountains of Bhutan, have to do with the Holiday Inn Express in London's Stratford you might wonder? Well, technically, they are sisters. Both fall under the umbrella of IHG Hotels & Resorts, which, alongside Six Senses, also counts Regent, InterContinental and Kimpton among its portfolio – and that's just the luxury brands. The hotel industry is in an ongoing period of consolidation and proliferation; each week seems to bring news of yet another brand launch or an old favourite being absorbed into a large corporate entity. The result of this is that the 10 largest hotel groups – your Marriotts, Hiltons and the like – have controlled almost 75 per cent of the global market in recent years. Wherever you're going and whatever you need, be it a honeymoon resort or a night at an airport, these groups want to add your booking to their market share. This price-point variety also protects businesses from economic downturns – if one year's bonus has you checking into Raffles, but the following year's new boiler and leaky roof makes Novotel the more realistic option, parent company Accor cashes in regardless. This consolidation is not entirely without benefit to the consumer. Economies of scale mean – in theory at least – a better product for a fairer price, while group loyalty schemes allow guests to rack up more rewards with fewer memberships, and the potential to turn those airport stay points into candlelit dinners at a beach bolthole in Bali. But now that travellers are confronted by such an overwhelming number of hotel brands, often with few clear defining factors – what's the difference between a Park Hyatt, a Grand Hyatt and a Hyatt Regency? – knowing how to sort the wheat from the chaff is becoming ever harder. We take a closer look at five of the biggest names to help you decode this complicated area of hospitality. Marriott International Number of hotels: 8,700 Marriott, from humble beginnings as a root beer stand in Washington DC, is the undisputed leader of the pack, with a market capitalisation of more than $72 billion. Its portfolio is vast, comprising some of the world's most recognisable hotels. The top end of the scale is awash with luxury; see the elegant service of Ritz-Carlton or the contemporary cool of Ian Schrager's Edition hotels. Then there's jewellery house Bulgari's foray into hospitality and St. Regis' classic grandes dames, plus of course the group's flagship JW Marriotts. Move down a spot from the very top tier and you'll find some hidden treasures in the premium range. Take Le Méridien's new 'urban resort' in Hualien, a city on the east coast of Taiwan, which at a squint could almost pass as an Aman. Autograph Collection, meanwhile, focuses on 'independent' hotels selected for their character – clearly evidenced at places such as the Anouska Hempel-designed Duxton Reserve in Singapore. This is also the market segment that the group's namesake Marriott Hotels & Resorts plays in, alongside stablemates Sheraton and Westin. The most affordable Marriott properties tend to be diffusion brands – Fairfield by Marriott, for example – hoping to glean a little of their parent company's repute. Best brand The Luxury Collection is a solid place to start, offering appealing handpicked hotels, from the bonafide legend that is Venice's Gritti Palace to buzzy newcomers such as Hôtel du Couvent in Nice. Ritz-Carlton, while sometimes having a reputation for old-school luxury, has also upped its efforts with openings such as the Ritz-Carlton, Nikko, a modernist beauty on the banks of Japan's Lake Chuzenji. Hilton Worldwide Number of hotels: 8,600 Hilton is probably the most famous hotel group in the world – in no small part thanks to the antics of Paris Hilton, the original Noughties celebrity heiress and founder Conrad's great-granddaughter. Hilton is certainly a group that understands the power of name recognition: aside from classic Hiltons, there's Canopy by Hilton, whose headboards attempt to create an overhanging canopy effect (who knew?), and Curio Collection by Hilton, similar to Marriott's Autograph Collection – think unique, independent properties with a bit of personality such as Boulders Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Then there are the more practical Tru by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton and Embassy Suites by Hilton. Perhaps most curious of all is DoubleTree by Hilton. How does it distinguish itself from a regular Hilton? After considerable research the only tangible differentiator we found was that guests receive a chocolate chip cookie on check-in. When asked, a spokesperson for Hilton described it as: 'Hilton's fast-growing, upscale hotel brand known for its warm hospitality.' Best brand At the top of Hilton's chain is the illustrious Waldorf Astoria, best known for the New York outpost, which reopens this year following an estimated $2 billion renovation. Already open is the Osaka property, which has the best views of the city from its Andre Fu-designed lobby. IHG Number of hotels: 6,300 Holiday Inn, owned by IHG, is the world's most recognisable budget hotel brand, and a byword for a certain kind of simple, almost retro travel. The most familiar Holiday Inns tend to offer more practical stays (cities, airports, motorway service stations), but there are some surprising outposts: the Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives for example, which has overwater villas and starts at an appealing £200 per night. At the middle point of InterContinental Hotel Group's portfolio are Crowne Plaza (a solid four-star offering) and Hotel Indigo, another ' boutique collection ', with outposts as far-flung as the Galapagos and as close to home as Coventry. IHG's luxury output chiefly concerns Regent Hotels and Six Senses. Regent shares a founder with Aman (Adrian Zecha) and since being acquired by IHG has been rapidly expanding, now managing properties such as the iconic Carlton Cannes. Best Brand An unlikely hero for IHG is the 'voco' brand, a collection of affordable luxury properties that includes voco St. David's Cardiff; a sail-topped hotel with knockout views across the water to Penarth. Of the Six Senses brand, few properties can beat the five lodges that make up Six Senses Bhutan; staying at each offers a ready-made tour of the Land of the Thunder Dragon. Accor Number of hotels: 5,600 French group Accor does luxury well, counting Raffles, Sofitel and Fairmont in its high-end segment. It has also acquired the rights to the Orient Express name, kicking off this new venture with the opening of La Minerva last month in Rome. In the premium range, you'll find the modernity of Pullman, the cultural and design-forward Mondrian, and reliable Swiss stalwarts Mövenpick and Swissôtel. To the more affordable end of the scale are the mid-range Mercure (which also has a spruced-up subsidiary, Grand Mercure) and Novotel brands, as well as budget-friendly ibis. Accor also owns Mama Shelter, the youthful lifestyle brand that joins Hoxton hotels (now part of Ennismore, which is two-thirds owned by Accor) in vying for the coveted millennial market. Best Brand Hoxton redefined the concept of the mid-range hotel in creating an affordable brand that offers a truly trendy stay. The loveliest in the group is probably the Hoxton Paris, but closer to home we're fans of the Hoxton Southwark and its rooftop restaurant. Hyatt Hotels Number of hotels: 1,300 Hyatt is the smallest of the five groups on this list, but it's snapping at the heels of its larger competitors. The company recently bought boutique hotel booking platform Mr & Mrs Smith, signalling an intention to engage with more intimate properties. Smith isn't Hyatt's only acquisition either; it also owns Alila, Andaz and the Standard Hotels, all of which are notably design-focussed. It's the brands bearing the Hyatt name that are a little trickier to unpack. Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric and so on – where to start? Park Hyatt is, despite common misconception, far and away the most luxurious of the group, while Grand Hyatt, it turns out, is the less grand of the two. Hyatt Regency is a solid choice for accessible luxury, while Hyatt Centric offers affordable but stylish hotels often with unexpected perks, such as daybed-lined rooftop pools. Best brand The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is the group's answer to Marriott's Luxury Collection, and includes truly special hotels such as Biarritz's Hötel du Palais. Sofia Coppola's 2003 hit Lost in Translation made the Park Hyatt Tokyo a star, but the Park Hyatt Kyoto
