Mount Fuji fights back against overtourism
Japan introduced fees and limits on its sacred peak as it grappled with a record flood of visitors.
Japan moved to rein in the crowds on its most sacred and iconic peak this year, introducing an entry fee and a daily limit on climbers of Mount Fuji, as the country grappled with a record flood of visitors drawn by a weak yen and pent-up demand after its long pandemic closure.
The measures on the most popular trail up the mountain included a fee for climbers and a cap on daily numbers, along with gates and time restrictions, intended to ease dangerous congestion on the slopes and address problems of litter, safety and ill-prepared hikers attempting the climb.
Mount Fuji was emblematic of a wider challenge. Across Japan, popular destinations strained under surging visitor numbers, and local frustrations grew. In one town, officials erected a large barrier to block a viral photo spot where tourists had been gathering to photograph the mountain, causing traffic and safety problems.
The tensions reflected the double-edged nature of Japan's tourism boom, a vital economic boost that also brought crowding, strain on infrastructure and friction with residents in the most popular spots.
Japan's response joined a growing global movement among destinations seeking to manage, rather than simply maximise, tourism. For travellers, the measures were a reminder to venture beyond the most famous and crowded sights, to respect local rules and communities, and to help ensure that treasured places like Fuji can be preserved amid their own popularity.