Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most sacred and iconic mountains, is facing a significant crisis due to a recent surge in inbound tourists. The influx of visitors has led to extreme levels of pollution and strain on the mountain, prompting authorities to consider drastic measures to mitigate the damage. The situation has raised concerns that Mount Fuji may become unattractive and deter climbers.
Despite efforts to clean and maintain the mountain, social media is flooded with posts about soiled bathrooms and piles of litter along the climbing path. This alarming pollution issue has prompted authorities to contemplate restricting the number of visitors by implementing a tram system for accessing the mountain.
During a tour for foreign media, Masatake Izumi, a Yamanashi prefecture official, expressed his fears about the future of Mount Fuji. He stated, “Fuji faces a real crisis. It’s uncontrollable, and we fear that Mount Fuji will soon become so unattractive, nobody would want to climb it.”
Mount Fuji was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site ten years ago, which further increased its popularity. However, this designation came with specific conditions, including reducing overcrowding, addressing environmental harm caused by visitors, and improving the artificial landscape, such as parking lots for tourists.
Unfortunately, overcrowding has only worsened in recent years. The fifth and largest base station, called “Subaru,” received around four million visitors this summer, a 50% increase from 2013.
Authorities are also concerned about the growing trend of “bullet climbing,” where climbers attempt to scale Mount Fuji for sunrise and descend on the same day. Rescue requests have increased by 50% compared to last year, with non-Japanese tourists accounting for a significant portion of the incidents. Many of these climbers are ill-equipped, leading to cases of hypothermia or altitude sickness.
The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), which advises the World Heritage Committee, may soon demand an update on the situation, adding additional pressure on authorities to address the issues plaguing Mount Fuji.
Local visitors, too, recognize the need for restrictions. Jun Shibazaki, a 62-year-old tourist, acknowledged the overcrowding problem, saying, “Any Japanese person would want to climb Mount Fuji at least once in their life. But it’s so crowded. Limited entry might be something we have to live with.”
It is clear that urgent action is needed to preserve the natural beauty and cultural significance of Mount Fuji. Authorities must find a balance between tourism and conservation to ensure the long-term sustainability of this iconic landmark.
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