The Yamanashi Prefectural Government has decided to distribute portable toilets to climbers during this year’s Mt. Fuji climbing season when mountain hut toilets are unavailable. This measure aims to protect the hiking trail environment following Mt. Fuji’s designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
According to the Mt. Fuji Conservation Office of Yamanashi Prefecture, due to the management of mountain huts being synchronized with the opening of the Shizuoka side trails, the summit toilets will be out of service during the periods when only the Yamanashi side Yoshida Trail is open—specifically from July 1 to 9 and September 11 to 14.
The nearest toilet to the summit requires at least a 40-minute hike, and every year many climbers relieve themselves along the trail or outside mountain huts.
This year, Yamanashi Prefecture will distribute free portable toilets near the trailheads during the periods when summit restrooms are unavailable and will collect them afterward. Officials stated that this is a first step in fostering environmental awareness and hope that climbers will bring their own portable toilets to help keep Mt. Fuji clean.
(China Times)