On December 25, the Japanese prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka held a meeting in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, to discuss implementing a voluntary ¥1,000 Mount Fuji climbing fee per visitor starting summer 2014.
According to Kyodo News, on December 25, the two prefectures convened a working meeting of the “Fujiyama World Heritage Council” in Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi Prefecture, to discuss the planned introduction of climbing fees from summer 2014. The meeting approved an outline of the fee plan, deciding to collect a voluntary ¥1,000 (approximately RMB 58) from visitors wishing to hike from the Fifth Station (mid-mountain) to the summit.
With the increasing number of visitors to Mount Fuji and its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2013, the two prefectures began discussing the introduction of climbing fees to fund environmental protection and safety measures, and conducted a trial fee collection during the summer.
This charging measure is not legally mandatory, but aims to eventually charge all visitors, with adjustments made as needed. It may later lead to the establishment of an official fee regulation or a shift to compulsory charges.
The climbing fee will be ¥1,000 per person as a base rate, but visitors can also choose to pay more. Cooperation from children and people with disabilities will also be requested. Fees will be collected around the clock while mountain trails are open, but considering efficiency and cost, methods such as online or convenience store payments may also be studied in addition to direct collection.
The prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka will publish an outline of the fee plan on their government websites between late December 2013 and early January 2014 to solicit public feedback, before finalizing the details at the Fujiyama World Heritage Council meeting on January 22.