Crowd control at Japans Mount Fuji as hiking season begins [Video]

Mount Fuji’s summer climbing season begins on Monday with new crowd control measures on the Japanese volcano’s most popular hiking trail to combat overtourism.

An entry fee of 2,000 yen ($13) plus an optional donation will be charged for those taking on the Yoshida Trail, and numbers will be capped at 4,000 per day.

Online reservations for the popular path have also been introduced for the first time this year by authorities concerned about safety and environmental damage on Japan’s highest mountain.

Record tourist crowds are flocking to Japan post-pandemic, with many wanting to see or scale Mount Fuji, which is covered in snow most of the year but draws more than 220,000 visitors each July-September climbing period.

Regional officials have raised concerns linked to overcrowding on the mountain, which is a symbol of Japan and a once-peaceful pilgrimage site.

Many climb through the night to see the sunrise from …