Japan imposes fee for visiting famous location: Reasons
Mount Fuji in Japan (Photo: pixabay.com)
In Japan, preparations are underway to introduce a fee for visiting the famous Mount Fuji and limit the number of tourists. The new rules will come into effect on July 1.
These measures aim to ensure the safety of visitors and reduce the amount of litter after their ascent, according to euronews.travel.
The restrictions on visiting one of Japan's main landmarks are intended to protect the site from excessive tourism. The number of visitors to Mount Fuji has sharply increased, causing concerns for the authorities regarding the litter they leave behind. Therefore, starting in July, when the 70-day summer climbing season begins, a daily limit of 4,000 tourists and a fee on one of the routes will be introduced.
The Yoshida Trail is the most popular ascent route due to its easy access from Tokyo and the presence of many mountain huts offering accommodation and food. In 2023, 221,322 people climbed the mountain, with more than half taking the Yoshida Trail. Due to the increased influx of people, "traffic jams" have occurred multiple times, leading to accidents and injuries.
The government of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan, which controls pedestrian walks on the UNESCO World Heritage site, recognizes the need to introduce a fee to protect the environment.
The cost of the hike will be announced by February. Since 2014, visitors have been voluntarily asked to contribute 6.20 euros per person. The authorities promise to use the proceeds to build shelters along the trail in case of a volcanic eruption and maintain the route.
Previously, we wrote about why selfies are prohibited in tourist spots worldwide. This activity has led to a significant number of deaths.
We also reported that in the famous city in Italy, new rules are being introduced for tourists. From the beginning of summer, the city will prohibit conducting excursions for tourist groups of more than 25 people and using loudspeakers.
