A Japanese government survey shows Mount Fuji had fewer climbers in the summer of 2024 than last year, apparently due to new regulative measures.
The Environment Ministry counts climbers using infrared devices installed around the eighth station on four trails from Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. The country’s highest mountain straddles the two prefectures.
Preliminary data shows that as of September 4 about 178,000 people have climbed Mt. Fuji since the official climbing season opened in July.
The number fell by 14 percent from the same period last year.
About 103,000 took the trail in Yamanashi Prefecture, while about 75,000 walked three trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side. Both figures declined from last year.
More than 200,000 people had climbed Mt. Fuji before the number fell sharply in the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the number increased to the pre-pandemic level.
Ministry officials say new regulations introduced this year to tackle overtourism and reckless climbing practices may be behind this year’s number.
A toll gate was installed on the Yamanashi side, and a prior registration system was introduced for the Shizuoka side.
Early in the climbing season, however, some people, including overseas tourists, were seen “bullet climbing” which involves heading to the summit overnight to see the sunrise at the peak without taking sufficient rest.
Yamanashi prefectural authorities have warned that such a practice would increase the risk of accidents and hypothermia. They say it would also worsen congestion near the peak.
They visited embassies to convey the warning, and sent messages to travel agencies in various languages about the risk.
Officials say since late July, few foreign tourists have trekked overnight.
They say direct messages through social media proved effective to some extent. They say they will continue to properly provide information to tourists from overseas.