The Yamanashi prefectural government in Japan announced the introduction of online reservations for climbers intending to ascend Mt. Fuji via the Yoshida Trail, a popular route within the prefecture.
Scheduled to launch at 10 pm on May 20, 2024, the new online reservation system aims to mitigate congestion at trail reception areas by allowing climbers to pre-pay a fee of 2,000 yen ($13). With a daily cap of 4,000 climbers, the system will offer 3,000 slots for online booking, with an additional 1,000 slots available for on-site payment at the trail’s reception on the day of the climb.
Reservations can be made via the official Mt. Fuji climbing website (fujisan-climb.jp/en) until the day before the planned ascent. Groups of up to 100 individuals can book simultaneously, with payment options including credit card or QR code. Refunds are generally not available under this system.
Mt. Fuji, designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, stands at an impressive height of 3,776 meters, serving as Japan’s tallest peak and spanning across Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. The climbing season typically runs from July to early September.
To further manage visitor flow, Yamanashi Prefecture will install a gate at the fifth station, marking the entrance to the Yoshida Trail, and close the trail from 4 pm to 3 am. Exceptions will be made for climbers with prior reservations, who are required to stay overnight in huts to discourage “bullet climbing,” which involves ascending throughout the night without adequate rest.
. With a daily cap of 4,000 climbers, the system will offer 3,000 slots for online booking, with an additional 1,000 slots available for on-site payment at the trail's reception on the day of the climb.){kind=link}