Japanese officials call for Mount Fuji crowd control

Despite the overload, I bet the huts on the mountain still haven't increased staff wages.

All it takes these is a couple of You Tubers, Influencers, & Instgramers to post few photos and the Herds will follow.

Mount Fuji cleaning efforts go in vain due to some the unlawful climbers who has NO respect for Fuji or nature.

All I can say is that I'm glad I did my climb over 20 years ago when you didn't have to worry about any of this stuff.

Why Japanese can’t think ahead? Build NPPs on active fault lines? Invite tourists to Kyoto with inferior transportation? Raise sales tax so young families can’t afford children?

make a plan Japan, do preparation.

We climb on mountains surrounding Mt. Fuji so that you can see Mt. Fuji on your hike. Like a Pro!

I climbed Mt. Fuji when I was 30yo. Never reached the summit, and slept in a yamagoya. Never to repeat. Now it seems that people who enjoy masochism has grow in numbers. It seems a world trend, now Mt. Everest is so crowded climbers die waiting to summit. Is humanity trying to ¨escape¨ its low and appalling condition?

Like they say about Mt. Fuji: Good from far but far from good

Despite the overload, I bet the huts on the mountain still haven't increased staff wages

What in the world does this have to do with the story?!?! Smgdfh...

But the reality is that there's actually less people being accommodated in the mountain huts due to covid. The huts are accepting about half their regular numbers; therefore, there's actually less for the workers to due.

And because of fewer accommodations, more people will.try to bullet hike Fuji san, which will potentially increase the numbers of injured or sick.

Apparently the climbing track has more garbage and rubbish than Japanese beaches, it's hard to imagine. Clean up the garbage, permanently close it for the hikers and leave Fujisan to rest until she blows.

i went there once and yes-its enough.

there are much nice hills here and not that crowded.

i went there once and yes-its enough.

there are much nice hills here and not that crowded.

Just like Takaosan, overrated because of easy access from Tokyo.

Seems like Fujisan is good to climb on a very random weekday, definitely not on fridays and weekends.

Imagine being exhausted already and having to stop every few hundred meters to queue and let other people pass. I already get this in other mountains, cant imagine whats like on Fujisan.

Love climbing mountains and did many in the Central Apls but the idea of climbing Fuji never appeal because of the sheer size of the crowd. Baseball game on a mountain or technically a volcano.

I climbed Mt. Fuji twice. I took a plastic bag with me to pick up some trash along the way, but didn't find a single piece. However, I first went in August of 2011 when the Fukushima nuclear plant drove many tourists away and the second time was on the first day of climbing season on July 1, so perhaps my experiences were not a true measure of the regular conditions.

I stayed in a hut with a group the first time and the second time climbed up and down in half the time with one other friend. Both times I passed a few people wearing basketball shorts and space blankets, tight stylish jackets and penny loafers, but most people were dressed right.

In August, for about an hour at the top, it was warm enough for short sleeve shirts, but the weather changed quickly. In July it was freaking cold the whole time, even with mountaineering coats.

It should read 'Japan calls for crowd control'

Why is there literally no control of visitor numbers at any place of interest? Covid was good for that at least!

Never fancied climbing Fuji - crowds of people and seems like a rather sparse and uninteresting slog - I guess it would be nice to see the sunrise from the top but that's about it. I think a better idea is to climb some of the surrounding mountains so that you can get a good view of Fuji from a distance. I remember Kumotori-san being a good one. Maybe Yatsugatake would also be good.

For something a bit like Fuji but without the horrendous crowds, Asama-yama is a good one - the Kamoshika-daira area on the way up is spectacular, some interesting sulfur deposits then onto the main volcano cone climb and you can stare into the smoking caldera from the top!

Personally speaking, I’ve climbed over 400 mountains in Japan, but haven’t got the slightest interest in climbing Mount Fuji. Nice from afar but far from nice. I think most people only climb it as it’s so famous.

Japan has approximately 10000000 other mountains to climb. You might actually be able to get some fresh air and relax on some of those.

You might actually be able to get some fresh air and relax on some of those.

Climbing other mountains in Japan: a peaceful walk around the Imperial Palace

Climbing Mount Fuji: a peaceful walk on Takeshita street on a saturday evening

Tell them there is an eruption due anytime.....that should cut the numbers.

Agree with others above. Perhaps they should promote the other great peaks that Japan has in its three alpine ranges, several over 3,000m.

They probably don't pop as much on social media though, which is the motivation for most of these tourists.

"Local authorities and tourism associations near the famous volcano warned that an "unprecedented" number of people were expected to tackle its steep symmetrical slopes this year."

I think I will give it a miss.

"Personally speaking, I’ve climbed over 400 mountains in Japan, but haven’t got the slightest interest in climbing Mount Fuji. Nice from afar but far from nice. I think most people only climb it as it’s so famous."

Your thinking is correct.

Japan has approximately 10000000 other mountains to climb. You might actually be able to get some fresh air and relax on some of those.

I agree 100% for those living here. However, Fuji is a world renowned mountain and most people outside don't care if you told them you climbed a mountain they never heard of. It is all about bragging rights. My dad climbed Fuji like 15 years ago and can't shut up about it lol I doubt he's ever climbed another mountain in his life.

The easiest way is control the crowd is to charge 30,000 yen.

I climbed Fuji on several occasions including during the summer season and winter ascents and by far the best time to climb it is late April, early May when there is still snow on the top and when strong winds calm down. Of course, this is a season for experienced mountaineers with proper gear, but there are no endless lines of people, no dust and it is just you and the nature because snow successfully hides the human marks on the mountain.

Shoot, I haven't climbed Mt Fuji yet. Was planning on doing it within next few years, but now this story makes me want to avoid it. Too many people always make things like this worse.

Safety issues are one of the most important considerations to have, if the infrastructure of the climb is not enough to support all the people that are russhing to Mt Fuji the only responsible thing to do is to limit the number of people allowed. Even if people are climbing under their own responsibility there is certain responsibility of the government to prevent accidents and deaths because of known risks.

Mark: "All it takes these is a couple of You Tubers, Influencers, & Instgramers to post few photos and the Herds will follow."

Well, THAT, and the Japanese nation getting the UNESCO designation it wanted and then pushing it for everyone to see while being predictably unprepared for what follows.

Good god! That picture at the top is insane!

Calls for control before deaths happened? Good for Japan showing at least some common sense

It's not a climb, it's a walk. Only a few kms from the 5th station. If there are no crowds anyone with reasonable fitness should be up and down in a few hours. No need for cabins.

I've climbed a lot of mountains in Japan, but I've never done Fuji for that reason. I climb mountains to get away from crowds. My son has expressed interest though, so perhaps we will one day during a trip to visit the grandparents.

Shoot, I haven't climbed Mt Fuji yet. Was planning on doing it within next few years, but now this story makes me want to avoid it.

I climb it several times a season with my job, and although I'd probably prefer to be lobotomized than climb it again, being at the top at sunrise with a huge crowd is still a moment that no other mountain can provide.

I agree that if you want a peaceful mountain, then Fuji isn't for you. But it's a different and unique experience, and as long as you go there in a 'social' frame of mind then you'll have a great memory.

My simple advice is to get to the top by 2.30am. Start climbing from the 5th at 8.30 - 9.30pm pm and take your time. If you start to get a headache at 3000m, take 3 painkillers and you'll be okay. Don't be caught watching the sunrise over your shoulder between the 8th station and the top amongst a thousand climbers, it's infuriating. Have a (mediocre) curry in a restaurant at the top, maybe a beer on the benches. Chat to other climbers, have a wander around the crater. Send some pics and vids to your folks, and settle in for sunrise when the time comes.

It's a festival up there so enjoy it!

If you start to get a headache at 3000m, take 3 painkillers and you'll be okay.

Disclaimer; you'll usually be okay.

As with Kyoto, glad I got my fill of this way back when. It was crowded but not like in that photo. That looks painful.

I got to do it in 89'. Was great. Would never try to do it now, especially with the influx of Chinese and Korean tourists.