Mount Fuji, the tallest and most famous mountain in Japan, is getting ready to open for this year’s summer climbing season… but something very different is happening.
For the first time ever, new rules and fees will greet climbers starting this July — and not everyone’s excited about it. 😮
💰 New Rule #1: You Have to Pay Now
This year, anyone who wants to climb past the 5th station (that’s like the halfway point of the mountain) will need to pay 4,000 yen — that’s about ₱1,470 per person!
Both Shizuoka and Yamanashi, the two areas that share Mt. Fuji, will collect the same fee.
So if you’re planning to hike Japan’s most iconic volcano, get your wallet ready!
🚫 New Rule #2: No More Midnight Climbs
For years, people have been trying to do “bullet climbing” — rushing to the top at night just to catch the sunrise without resting properly. 😵💫
But now, that’s officially banned.
🚫 No one is allowed to go past the 5th station between 2 p.m. and 3 a.m.
That means no more dangerous, overnight, no-sleep climbs. It’s just too risky — and causes major problems like:
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Too many people crowding the trails 🧍♀️🧍🧍♂️
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Trash getting left behind 🗑️
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People getting sick from the cold or lack of oxygen 🥶
⛺ Why the Rules Are Changing
A mountain hut owner said they’re hoping these rules will make things more peaceful and cleaner for everyone. Less people at once means:
✅ Safer climbs
✅ Less trash
✅ Better mountain experience
Sounds fair, right?
🗓️ When Does the Climbing Season Start?
🟢 July 2 – The Yoshida Trail (on the Yamanashi side) opens first
🔵 July 10 – Trails from the Shizuoka side (Fujinomiya, Gotemba, and Subashiri) will open
Mt. Fuji stands 3,776 meters tall, and every year, thousands of people try to reach the top — some for adventure, others for the once-in-a-lifetime sunrise view.
🤔 So… Will People Still Climb?
That’s the big question! With fees and stricter rules, will hikers still line up to conquer Japan’s sacred mountain?
Or will these changes cool down the summer rush?
Only time — and the trail — will tell. ⛰️🌅
