overtourism Archives | Tokyo Cheapo

Planning to hike Mount Fuji in summer 2026? You need to know the rules, including trail fees and caps on climbers. The Mt. Fuji rules, which were first promulgated in 2024, are aimed at protecting both hikers and the environment, in response to concerns around overtourism. Here's what you need to know. 2026 fees and rules for Mt. Fuji The following rules apply for climbing Mt. Fuji in summer 2026. 1. Climbing season In 2026, the Yoshida and Subashiri trails are scheduled to open July 1, while the Fujinomiya and Gotemba trails are scheduled to open July 10. All trails close September 10. Note: This is nothing new -- the climbing season for Mt. Fuji has always been limited. Read our full guide to Climbing Fuji for more on the trails. 2. Mt. Fuji trail fees All climbers taking the Yoshida Trail -- the main route up Mt. Fuji -- will be required to pay to pass through specially installed gates at the fifth station. The trail toll fees will be used for maintenance. People trekking up a section of the Yoshida Trail between the foot of Mount Fuji and the fifth station will be exempt from the hiking fee, however. If you want to go beyond the fifth station, the fee will apply. Important: The trail fee does not include a mountain-hut reservation; it is totally separate from accommodation. Mountain huts on Mt. Fuji must be reserved -- and paid for -- separately. Online reservations for the Mt. Fuji Yoshida Trail You can book and pre-pay your trail fee via the official Mt. Fuji website -- read through all of the cautions carefully beforehand. You will need to show that you have appropriate hiking boots, rain gear, and cold-weather clothing. Reservations opened on April 27, 2026. You can make a reservation until 11:59 p.m. of the day before your climb, but reservations will close as soon as the quota is exceeded, so -- the earlier, the better. Note that you'll need to get through the gate before 2 p.m. (unless you have a mountain-hut reservation). Registration for other trails on Mt. Fuji Climbers using the Subashiri, Gotemba, or Fujinomiya trails -- all located on the Shizuoka Prefecture side of Mt. Fuji -- must pre-register online through the Shizuoka Fuji Navi app and obtain a climbing permit QR code before entering the mountain. A climbing fee of per person applies. Pre-registration opened on May 8 via the official booking website. As part of the process, climbers are required to complete a short pre-climb learning module covering Mt. Fuji safety, etiquette, and environmental conservation. Unlike the Yoshida Trail, Shizuoka Prefecture does not impose a daily cap on climber numbers. However, anyone entering the mountain between 2 p.m. and 3 a.m. must have a mountain-hut reservation. 3. Caps on climbers for Mt. Fuji in 2026 The number of climbers allowed on the Yoshida Trail will once again be limited to 4,000 per day during the official climbing season. However, this cap will not apply to climbers with mountain-hut reservations. There is no cap on the number of climbers on the other Fuji trails in 2026. 4. Entry-time restrictions To discourage dangerous "bullet climbing" -- where people go straight to the top without taking a break, thereby heightening the risk of hypothermia and altitude sickness -- gates on all trails close between 2 p.m. and 3 a.m. If you have a mountain-hut reservation, you can pass through, but you are strongly encouraged to go through earlier for safety reasons. Note: Advance bookings are necessary for mountain huts. 5. Mt. Fuji rangers A number of "Mt. Fuji optimization rangers", or mountain guides, will be patrolling for safety. They will have the authority to intervene where climbers fail to abide by the rules -- you need to listen if they ask you to do/not do anything. Why are there rules for Mt. Fuji? Every year, hundreds of thousands of hikers make their way up and down Mt. Fuji's slopes. Climbers often report queues, litter, and irresponsible behavior. "We're worried about a domino-effect accident," said Yamanashi Prefecture governor Kotaro Nagasaki, at a press conference explaining the new rules in 2024, when they were first introduced. Governor Nagasaki cited myriad issues, including: excessive crowding near the summit; climbers lighting bonfires and sleeping along the paths; and bullet climbing. The new measures are intended, above all, to "safeguard the lives of climbers", he said. FAQs How many people climb Mt. Fuji? In 2025, approximately 205,100 people climbed Mt. Fuji, with 121,068 of them using the popular Yoshida Trail. This is roughly on par with 2024. Why did it take so long to introduce restrictions? The Yoshida Trail was classified as a prefectural road, previously, meaning it required unimpeded access under Japanese law. The trail had to be recategorized, in a way, in order for gates to be installed and restrictions put in place. What other measures are being considered? Every year, millions of visitors and tens of thousands of vehicles ascend and descend Mt. Fuji. There is concern that the UNESCO World Heritage site will lose the beauty and serenity that make it such a historically sacred place. The prefectural government is considering various measures in response, including a new rail transit system, as well as the revival of ancient, alternative climbing routes in a bid to decentralize and decongest the hikes. Other Mt. Fuji resources Hakone - Fuji Kawaguchiko bus tours Tokyo to Mt. Fuji: Transport guide How to climb Mt. Fuji Accommodation near Mt. Fuji Mt. Fuji bus tours from Tokyo Alternatives to Mt. Fuji While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post updated in May 2026 by Aarohi Narain.

Overtourism Posts

Mount Fuji Rules in 2026 — What To Know

Mt. Fuji Without the Crowds — Exciting New Day Trip From Tokyo

New Video! Climbing Mt. Fuji in 2024

Overtourism Posts

Mount Fuji Rules in 2026 — What To Know

Mt. Fuji Without the Crowds — Exciting New Day Trip From Tokyo

New Video! Climbing Mt. Fuji in 2024

Log in

Create Account

Recover Password

Log in Successful