Japan imposes new fees on Mount Fuji climbers to limit tourists

Climbers and visitors gather on the first day of the climbing season at Fuji Yoshidaguchi Trail (Yoshida Route) at the fifth station on the slopes of Mount Fuji, in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, July 1, 2024. Yamanashi prefectural government office staff members stand guard next to a newly-built trail gate for admission on the fifth stage of the slopes of Mount Fuji, in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, July 1, 2024. Climbers walk on Fuji Yoshidaguchi Trail (Yoshida Route) on the first day of the climbing season on the slopes of Mount Fuji, in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, July 1, 2024.

Park rangers on Japan's sacred Mount Fuji officially started this year's climbing season about 90 minutes before sunrise on Monday, levying new trail fees and limiting hiker numbers to curb overcrowding.