Japanese authorities in a town close to Mount Fuji have scrapped this year’s cherry blossom festival after concluding that soaring visitor numbers have become too disruptive for residents. Fujiyoshida, a city that draws huge crowds each spring for its cherry trees set against Japan’s most famous mountain, has struggled to cope with the volume of tourists. Local authorities say the influx has caused severe traffic jams, mounting rubbish problems, and repeated incidents of visitors entering private property.&nbsp;Some residents have reported tourists opening their doors to use bathrooms without permission, wandering into private gardens, and even relieving themselves on residential land. City leaders say such behaviour has significantly damaged daily life in the area. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the decision to end the decade-old festival was made to protect the well-being of locals, describing the situation as a growing crisis that threatens the community’s dignity and peace. The cherry blossom event began in 2016 at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a popular viewpoint featuring a pagoda overlooking the city and Mount Fuji.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/55-000-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-in-four-years-of-war-with-russia-zelensky-1770304188136">55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in four years of war with Russia: Zelensky</a>&nbsp;Authorities initially promoted the festival to boost tourism and create a vibrant atmosphere, especially as the location gained popularity on social media. In recent years, however, visitor numbers have surged beyond what the city can manage. Officials estimate that up to 10,000 people now arrive each day during peak blossom season, driven by factors including a weak yen and viral online images.&nbsp;Although the festival has been cancelled, Fujiyoshida expects heavy footfall throughout April and May and says it is preparing for continued tourist pressure. The move reflects a broader struggle in Japan to curb overtourism. Last year, officials in nearby Fujikawaguchiko installed a large black screen to block a famous photo spot after complaints about littering and illegal parking.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-latest-plan-for-white-house-makeover-1770312064256/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-latest-plan-for-white-house-makeover-1770312064256/embed</a>&nbsp;Other countries are also taking action. Rome has introduced a €2 entry fee for access to the Trevi Fountain viewing area, while Venice now charges day visitors between €5 and €10 depending on booking time.

Mount Fuji town cancels cherry blossom festival amid surge in tourist

Japanese authorities in a town close to Mount Fuji have scrapped this year’s cherry blossom festival after concluding that soaring visitor numbers have become too disruptive for residents. Fujiyoshida, a city that draws huge crowds each spring for its cherry trees set against Japan’s most famous mountain, has struggled to cope with the volume of tourists. Local authorities say the influx has caused severe traffic jams, mounting rubbish problems, and repeated incidents of visitors entering private property. Some residents have reported tourists opening their doors to use bathrooms without permission, wandering into private gardens, and even relieving themselves on residential land. City leaders say such behaviour has significantly damaged daily life in the area. Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi said the decision to end the decade-old festival was made to protect the well-being of locals, describing the situation as a growing crisis that threatens the community’s dignity and peace. The cherry blossom event began in 2016 at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a popular viewpoint featuring a pagoda overlooking the city and Mount Fuji. Also Read: 55,000 Ukrainian soldiers killed in four years of war with Russia: Zelensky Authorities initially promoted the festival to boost tourism and create a vibrant atmosphere, especially as the location gained popularity on social media. In recent years, however, visitor numbers have surged beyond what the city can manage. Officials estimate that up to 10,000 people now arrive each day during peak blossom season, driven by factors including a weak yen and viral online images. Although the festival has been cancelled, Fujiyoshida expects heavy footfall throughout April and May and says it is preparing for continued tourist pressure. The move reflects a broader struggle in Japan to curb overtourism. Last year, officials in nearby Fujikawaguchiko installed a large black screen to block a famous photo spot after complaints about littering and illegal parking. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-s-latest-plan-for-white-house-makeover-1770312064256/embed Other countries are also taking action. Rome has introduced a €2 entry fee for access to the Trevi Fountain viewing area, while Venice now charges day visitors between €5 and €10 depending on booking time.

A Mount Fuji town has cancelled its cherry blossom festival after tourist numbers surged, causing congestion, littering, and disruption to residents’ daily lives

Japan issued a tsunami advisory Sunday after an offshore 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck a northern Pacific region.The quake struck around 5:03 pm (0803 GMT) in waters off Iwate, prompting the advisory for a possible tsunami up to one metre (three feet) high, the Japan Meteorological Agency said. Watch the video to know more on this!


Japan earthquake: powerful 6.7 magnitude earthquake hits Japan

Tokyo is harnessing AI-generated video technology to simulate the catastrophic effects of a potential Mount Fuji eruption. Authorities aim to prepare the public and emergency services for a worst-case scenario, while experts weigh in on the actual risk to Japan’s capital.

Mount fuji eruption: AI video shows simulation of possible impact 

A man who got stranded on Mount Fuji and had to be rescued did not learn his lesson and returned to the peak the next week. As strange as it might sound, the climber took a second trip to look for his phone. The first time he found himself in a lurch was at a height of 12,388 feet. Rescue teams were alerted, after which a helicopter pulled him up and returned to safety, CNN reported.
The second time was at a height of 9,842 feet when he started experiencing altitude sickness. Once again, rescue officials scrambled and brought him back.
The incident happened with a 27-year-old Chinese university student who surprisingly decided to climb the mountain during off off-season. As per the &nbsp;mountain&rsquo;s website, "The 2025 climbing season is scheduled to start in early July and end in early September."&nbsp;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mount-fuji-remains-snowless-for-longest-time-breaking-130-year-record-771980" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mount Fuji remains snowless for longest time, breaking 130-year record</a>
Since the mountain is not officially open to hikers, all the signposts have also been removed.
The student, who found himself in the middle of nowhere, has not been named. The first time it happened was after he lost his crampons, a kind of spiked cleat that lets a hiker safely move in icy environments. After he was rescued, he realised that he had forgotten his phone at the spot.
A few days later, he went back to look for it. However, since he failed to climb to the same height the second time, it seems his efforts went in vain, and his phone remains on Mount Fuji.
<h2>Mount Fuji hiking regulations</h2>
The hiking season on Mount Fuji begins in the summer. Fresh guidelines have been issued for the coming season, including increased fees. Climbers would have to pay 4,000 yen ($28) to obtain a permit and book slots online. There is also a limit of 4,000 visitors per day since authorities have struggled with overcrowding.&nbsp;
The fees is double of what was charged in 2024 and would deter those seeking to climb Mount Fuji just for kicks. Other problems include hikers wearing incorrect climbing gear, carrying the wrong gear and not having enough water.

The student, who found himself in the middle of nowhere, has not been named. The first time it happened was after he lost his crampons. World Trending

A man who got stranded on Mount Fuji and had to be rescued did not learn his lesson and returned to the peak the next week. As strange as it might sound, the climber took a second trip to look for his phone. The first time he found himself in a lurch was at a height of 12,388 feet. Rescue teams were alerted, after which a helicopter pulled him up and returned to safety, CNN reported. The second time was at a height of 9,842 feet when he started experiencing altitude sickness. Once again, rescue officials scrambled and brought him back. The incident happened with a 27-year-old Chinese university student who surprisingly decided to climb the mountain during off off-season. As per the mountain’s website, "The 2025 climbing season is scheduled to start in early July and end in early September." Also Read: Mount Fuji remains snowless for longest time, breaking 130-year record Since the mountain is not officially open to hikers, all the signposts have also been removed. The student, who found himself in the middle of nowhere, has not been named. The first time it happened was after he lost his crampons, a kind of spiked cleat that lets a hiker safely move in icy environments. After he was rescued, he realised that he had forgotten his phone at the spot. A few days later, he went back to look for it. However, since he failed to climb to the same height the second time, it seems his efforts went in vain, and his phone remains on Mount Fuji. Mount Fuji hiking regulations The hiking season on Mount Fuji begins in the summer. Fresh guidelines have been issued for the coming season, including increased fees. Climbers would have to pay 4,000 yen ($28) to obtain a permit and book slots online. There is also a limit of 4,000 visitors per day since authorities have struggled with overcrowding. The fees is double of what was charged in 2024 and would deter those seeking to climb Mount Fuji just for kicks. Other problems include hikers wearing incorrect climbing gear, carrying the wrong gear and not having enough water.

Rescued man lost phone at 12,000 feet on Mount Fuji. He returned and got stuck again

Japan's iconic Mount Fuji has finally received its first dusting of snow, breaking one of the longest snowless spells in over 130 years.

Japan's Changing Climate Landscape Raises Concern

After an unusually long wait, Japan's Mount Fuji has finally been covered with snow. The delay aligns with the trend of rising global temperatures, which has led to an increase in hot temperatures. Watch this report for more details!

Japan: Snow Returns at Mount Fuji After a Month

Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji remain snowless, making it the latest time in the year that its slopes have been bare since the record started 130 years ago.

The volcano’s peak typically receives snow by early October, but due to unusually warm weather, no snowfall has been reported so far this year, the country’s weather agency said. Last year, the snow was first detected on October 5, as per AFP news agency.

However, due to warm weather, no snowfall has been observed till Tuesday (Oct 29). This marked the latest date since comparative data became available in 1984, beating the previous record of October 26 recorded twice in 1955 and 2016.

“Temperatures were high this summer, and these high temperatures continued into September, deterring cold air” which brings snow, Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at Kofu Local Meteorological Office told the AFP news agency.

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Katsuta said climate change might have impacted the delay in the snowcap’s formation. Japan experienced its joint hottest summer on record with temperatures between June and August being 1.76 Celsius higher than average.

In September, temperatures continued to be warmer than expected as the sub-tropical jet stream's more northerly position allowed a warmer southerly flow of air over Japan.

Nearly 1,500 areas in Japan had been classed as "extremely hot" days, as described by the country's Meteorological Society.

For the rain to turn into snow, the temperature has to be around the freezing point. October has seen the heat ease slightly, but it has still been a warmer-than-average month.

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Mount Fuji, which is southwest of Tokyo, is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776m (12,460 ft). It is covered in snow for most of the year but during the July-September, which is the hiking season more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes. Many climb through the night to see the sunrise from the summit.

The volcano erupted just over 300 years ago and is quite visible from the Japanese capital on a clear day.

(With inputs from agencies)

Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji remain snowless, making it the latest time in the year that its slopes have been bare since the record started 130 years ago. The volcano’s peak typically receives snow by early October, but due to unusually warm weather, no snowfall has been reported so far this year, the country’s weather agency said.

Japan’s majestic Mount Fuji remain snowless, making it the latest time in the year that its slopes have been bare since the record started 130 years ago. The volcano’s peak typically receives snow by early October, but due to unusually warm weather, no snowfall has been reported so far this year, the country’s weather agency said. Last year, the snow was first detected on October 5, as per AFP news agency. However, due to warm weather, no snowfall has been observed till Tuesday (Oct 29). This marked the latest date since comparative data became available in 1984, beating the previous record of October 26 recorded twice in 1955 and 2016. “Temperatures were high this summer, and these high temperatures continued into September, deterring cold air” which brings snow, Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at Kofu Local Meteorological Office told the AFP news agency. Also Read | China bolsters global trade ties with zero-tariff initiative for developing nations Katsuta said climate change might have impacted the delay in the snowcap’s formation. Japan experienced its joint hottest summer on record with temperatures between June and August being 1.76 Celsius higher than average. In September, temperatures continued to be warmer than expected as the sub-tropical jet stream's more northerly position allowed a warmer southerly flow of air over Japan. Nearly 1,500 areas in Japan had been classed as "extremely hot" days, as described by the country's Meteorological Society. For the rain to turn into snow, the temperature has to be around the freezing point. October has seen the heat ease slightly, but it has still been a warmer-than-average month. Also Read | This village in Japan is placing life-sized dolls in place of people. Here's why Mount Fuji, which is southwest of Tokyo, is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776m (12,460 ft). It is covered in snow for most of the year but during the July-September, which is the hiking season more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes. Many climb through the night to see the sunrise from the summit. The volcano erupted just over 300 years ago and is quite visible from the Japanese capital on a clear day. (With inputs from agencies)

Mount Fuji remains snowless for longest time, breaking 130-year record

A Japanese town that previously gained global attention for its decision to hide the&nbsp;view&nbsp;of Mount Fuji has taken down the black mesh barrier.&nbsp;

<h2>Why did the&nbsp;town decide to obstruct&nbsp;view&nbsp;of Mount&nbsp;Fuji?</h2>

Fujikawaguchiko, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, became a popular spot due to a specific vantage point where visitors could capture the mountain in the background of a Lawson’s convenience store on the town’s main street.

The spot&nbsp;gained traction on Instagram and TikTok, leading to an influx of tourists from around the world. However, local residents complained that these visitors often disregarded traffic rules and left litter behind, despite the presence of warning signs and security personnel.

In response, the town erected a large black mesh net in May, blocking the view of Mount Fuji from that spot.

<h2>Why was the barrier taken down?</h2>

The fence, which was 20 metres long and 2.5 metres high, was removed on August 15. Originally taken down as a precaution due to a typhoon forecast, town officials have decided to keep it down for now.

However, town officials&nbsp;have warned&nbsp;that the barrier could be reinstated if the area once again becomes overcrowded with tourists. "We wanted to see what would happen," an official told&nbsp;news agency AFP.

"There are still some people who visit the spot, but we no longer see crowds suddenly rushing into the street. We believe the measure has been effective," the official added.

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The town had spent 1.3 million yen (€7,700) on the installation of the black mesh net and additional fencing along the sidewalk.

Initially, tourists did not seem to respect the barriers, as small holes were found in the screen, which were being used to capture photos. Within a week of its installation, officials had discovered around 10 such holes, all at eye level and perfectly sized to fit a camera lens.

Despite these challenges, officials report that the screen has helped reduce congestion in the area.

Mount&nbsp;Fuji, designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, was once a place of pilgrimage.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Japanese town that previously gained global attention for its decision to hide the view of Mount Fuji has taken down the black mesh barrier. Why did the town decide to obstruct view of Mount Fuji?

A Japanese town that previously gained global attention for its decision to hide the view of Mount Fuji has taken down the black mesh barrier. Why did the town decide to obstruct view of Mount Fuji? Fujikawaguchiko, located at the foot of Mount Fuji, became a popular spot due to a specific vantage point where visitors could capture the mountain in the background of a Lawson’s convenience store on the town’s main street. The spot gained traction on Instagram and TikTok, leading to an influx of tourists from around the world. However, local residents complained that these visitors often disregarded traffic rules and left litter behind, despite the presence of warning signs and security personnel. In response, the town erected a large black mesh net in May, blocking the view of Mount Fuji from that spot. Why was the barrier taken down? The fence, which was 20 metres long and 2.5 metres high, was removed on August 15. Originally taken down as a precaution due to a typhoon forecast, town officials have decided to keep it down for now. However, town officials have warned that the barrier could be reinstated if the area once again becomes overcrowded with tourists. "We wanted to see what would happen," an official told news agency AFP. "There are still some people who visit the spot, but we no longer see crowds suddenly rushing into the street. We believe the measure has been effective," the official added. Also read: Sicily yacht sinking: Bodies of all men, including UK tech tycoon Lynch, found The town had spent 1.3 million yen (€7,700) on the installation of the black mesh net and additional fencing along the sidewalk. Initially, tourists did not seem to respect the barriers, as small holes were found in the screen, which were being used to capture photos. Within a week of its installation, officials had discovered around 10 such holes, all at eye level and perfectly sized to fit a camera lens. Despite these challenges, officials report that the screen has helped reduce congestion in the area. Mount Fuji, designated as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 2013, was once a place of pilgrimage. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese town removes controversial Mount Fuji barrier, warns it could return

Authorities in Japan took unique action to curb a tourist-related problem. A town put up a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji.&nbsp;

The tourists stood at the spot for a long time which caused overcrowding in the area. But the screen has been punctured now, holes have been found in it and authorities are working to repair it. The officials said that around 10 small holes had already been poked in the mesh screen.&nbsp;

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Residents in the town of Fujikawaguchiko had complained about streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules.&nbsp;

A town official told the news agency AFP that the screen made of black netting had achieved its goal of dispersing crowds on a narrow pavement across the road from a convenience store.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a security guard is there between 10:00 am and 04:00 pm (local time).

The small holes appear to have been created in the morning or evening while no one was watching, the official said, further adding that the holes were big enough to fit a finger through but perhaps too small to capture the Instagram-friendly juxtaposition of the snow-capped volcano emerging from behind the store.&nbsp;

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Watch:&nbsp;No perfect picture for Mount Fuji visitors?&nbsp;

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"It's about manners. It's a shame. I tried to put a camera up to one of the holes. Did I take a good picture? In fact, I think the net came into the frame," the official said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said that "there have been some people who came to see the screen itself" since it was installed last week. The screen measured 2.5 by 20 metres (eight by 65 feet).&nbsp;

"But we have achieved the purpose of discouraging people from staying there," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Authorities in Japan took unique action to curb a tourist-related problem. A town put up a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji.

Authorities in Japan took unique action to curb a tourist-related problem. A town put up a huge black screen last week in an attempt to stop tourists from snapping photos of Mount Fuji. The tourists stood at the spot for a long time which caused overcrowding in the area. But the screen has been punctured now, holes have been found in it and authorities are working to repair it. The officials said that around 10 small holes had already been poked in the mesh screen. Also read: Sunak's health woes: Junior doctors in England to strike for five days ahead of election Residents in the town of Fujikawaguchiko had complained about streams of mostly foreign visitors littering, trespassing and breaking traffic rules. A town official told the news agency AFP that the screen made of black netting had achieved its goal of dispersing crowds on a narrow pavement across the road from a convenience store. Meanwhile, a security guard is there between 10:00 am and 04:00 pm (local time). The small holes appear to have been created in the morning or evening while no one was watching, the official said, further adding that the holes were big enough to fit a finger through but perhaps too small to capture the Instagram-friendly juxtaposition of the snow-capped volcano emerging from behind the store. Also read: Gladiators on the wall: What charcoal graffiti tells us about the lost city of Pompeii? Watch: No perfect picture for Mount Fuji visitors? × "It's about manners. It's a shame. I tried to put a camera up to one of the holes. Did I take a good picture? In fact, I think the net came into the frame," the official said. He said that "there have been some people who came to see the screen itself" since it was installed last week. The screen measured 2.5 by 20 metres (eight by 65 feet). "But we have achieved the purpose of discouraging people from staying there," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Holes found in black screen installed to block tourist snapshots of Mount Fuji

The town of Fujikawaguchiko will put up a barrier to block Mount Fuji from view in a popular tourist photo spot. A local official says the decision is "regrettable" but tourists "who can't respect rules" leave them with no choice. Watch in for more details!

Japan: No perfect picture for Mount Fuji visitors?

No 'perfect pictures' for Mount Fuji visitors?

Japanese authorities, frustrated by the unruly behaviour of foreign tourists, are planning to set up&nbsp;a large black barrier to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji at a well-known photo spot. Construction of the mesh net, which will be 2.5 metres&nbsp;(8 feet) high and approximately 20 metres&nbsp;long (equivalent to the length of a cricket pitch), is scheduled to start as early as next week, according to an official from Fujikawaguchiko town.

"It's regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can't respect rules,&nbsp;leaving litter behind and ignoring traffic regulations," said the official to AFP.

In Japan, some tourist spots are facing overcrowding issues.

In Fujikawaguchiko, a town known for its view of Mount Fuji, tourists flock to photograph the iconic volcano behind a Lawson convenience store.

This location gained popularity on social media, attracting many visitors, especially from other countries.

However, the influx of tourists has led to overcrowding, with some even trespassing onto nearby properties for better views. Despite attempts to manage the situation through signage and warnings, the overcrowding persist.

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To address this, authorities plan to install a large screen to block the view of Mount Fuji from the Lawson store, hoping to deter tourists from overcrowding the area and protect nearby properties, like a dental clinic.

This issue isn't unique to Japan, as other popular destinations, such as Venice, also grapple with the challenges of overtourism.

By implementing measures like entry fees and crowd control, these destinations are trying to&nbsp;strike a balance between welcoming tourists and preserving the local environment and community.

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<h2>Tourists&nbsp;an issue in Venice too</h2>

Venice in Italy, has introduced a new pilot program to tackle overtourism. Day-trippers will now be charged a €5 entry fee (approximately $5.35). This move will try&nbsp;to reduce visitor numbers on busy days and make the city more enjoyable for its residents, who are becoming fewer in number.

Signs have been posted outside Venice's main train station and other key entry points to inform visitors about a new test phase lasting 29 days in July. Additionally, about 200 stewards have been trained to politely guide those unaware of the fees and the process of downloading a QR code.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Japanese authorities, frustrated by the unruly behaviour of foreign tourists, are planning to set up a large black barrier to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji at a well-known photo spot.

Japanese authorities, frustrated by the unruly behaviour of foreign tourists, are planning to set up a large black barrier to obstruct the view of Mount Fuji at a well-known photo spot. Construction of the mesh net, which will be 2.5 metres (8 feet) high and approximately 20 metres long (equivalent to the length of a cricket pitch), is scheduled to start as early as next week, according to an official from Fujikawaguchiko town. "It's regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can't respect rules, leaving litter behind and ignoring traffic regulations," said the official to AFP. In Japan, some tourist spots are facing overcrowding issues. In Fujikawaguchiko, a town known for its view of Mount Fuji, tourists flock to photograph the iconic volcano behind a Lawson convenience store. This location gained popularity on social media, attracting many visitors, especially from other countries. However, the influx of tourists has led to overcrowding, with some even trespassing onto nearby properties for better views. Despite attempts to manage the situation through signage and warnings, the overcrowding persist. Also read | 'Critical situation': Japan's number of births fell to record low in 2023, marriages down by 5.9% To address this, authorities plan to install a large screen to block the view of Mount Fuji from the Lawson store, hoping to deter tourists from overcrowding the area and protect nearby properties, like a dental clinic. This issue isn't unique to Japan, as other popular destinations, such as Venice, also grapple with the challenges of overtourism. By implementing measures like entry fees and crowd control, these destinations are trying to strike a balance between welcoming tourists and preserving the local environment and community. Also watch | Gravitas: Japan fights to bring back Haiku parties Tourists an issue in Venice too Venice in Italy, has introduced a new pilot program to tackle overtourism. Day-trippers will now be charged a €5 entry fee (approximately $5.35). This move will try to reduce visitor numbers on busy days and make the city more enjoyable for its residents, who are becoming fewer in number. Signs have been posted outside Venice's main train station and other key entry points to inform visitors about a new test phase lasting 29 days in July. Additionally, about 200 stewards have been trained to politely guide those unaware of the fees and the process of downloading a QR code. (With inputs from agencies)

Japanese town plans to block Mount Fuji view due to tourist misbehaviour

Mount Fuji, once a peaceful pilgrimage site, is now witness to millions of visitors every year. The route is now filled with buses, supply trucks, noodle shops and fridge magnets. The authorities are now saying that number of hikers trekking on the world-famous volcano has reached a dangerous level ecologically.

"Mount Fuji is screaming," the governor of the local region said last week.&nbsp;

UNESCO added the "internationally recognised the icon of Japan" to its World Heritage List in 2013.

But as has happened in places such as Bruges in Belgium or Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain, the designation has been both a blessing and a curse.&nbsp;

Visitor numbers more than doubled between 2012 and 2019 to 5.1 million, and that's just for Yamanashi prefecture, the main starting point.&nbsp;

The stream of people does not trudge the mountain just during day. Even at night, long lines of people can be seen making their way up to see the sun rise in the morning.

The starting point is a car park. It can only be reached by taxi or buses.

Before the walkers set off for their trek, they can access a complex of restaurants, sovenier shops and more.

They are powered by diesel generators and the thousands of litres of water they use has to be brought up in lorries. Trucks also take all the rubbish down.&nbsp;

Masatake Izumi, a local official, told AFP that very high number of people has increased the risk of accidents.

Some people who climb at night "get hypothermia and have to be taken back to first aid stations" he said.

This week government ministers met to discuss measures to tackle what Kenji Hamamoto, a senior Japan Tourism Agency official, called "overcrowding and breaches of etiquette" across heavily touristed sites.&nbsp;

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Authorities announced last month that crowd control measures will be imposed if paths get too busy. If this happens, such measures will come into effect for the first time.

Yamanashi's governor Kotaro Nagasaki said last week Japan needed to take measures to ensure Mount Fuji did not lose its UNESCO designation.&nbsp;

One solution, he said, could be constructing a light rail system to replace the main road leading to the main starting point for hikers.&nbsp;

"We firmly believe that with regard to Mount Fuji tourism, a shift from a quantity approach to a quality one is essential," Nagasaki said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Mount Fuji, once a peaceful pilgrimage site, is now witness to millions of visitors every year. The route is now filled with buses, supply trucks, noodle shops and fridge magnets.

Mount Fuji, once a peaceful pilgrimage site, is now witness to millions of visitors every year. The route is now filled with buses, supply trucks, noodle shops and fridge magnets. The authorities are now saying that number of hikers trekking on the world-famous volcano has reached a dangerous level ecologically. "Mount Fuji is screaming," the governor of the local region said last week. UNESCO added the "internationally recognised the icon of Japan" to its World Heritage List in 2013. But as has happened in places such as Bruges in Belgium or Rio de Janeiro's Sugarloaf Mountain, the designation has been both a blessing and a curse. Visitor numbers more than doubled between 2012 and 2019 to 5.1 million, and that's just for Yamanashi prefecture, the main starting point. The stream of people does not trudge the mountain just during day. Even at night, long lines of people can be seen making their way up to see the sun rise in the morning. The starting point is a car park. It can only be reached by taxi or buses. Before the walkers set off for their trek, they can access a complex of restaurants, sovenier shops and more. They are powered by diesel generators and the thousands of litres of water they use has to be brought up in lorries. Trucks also take all the rubbish down. Masatake Izumi, a local official, told AFP that very high number of people has increased the risk of accidents. Some people who climb at night "get hypothermia and have to be taken back to first aid stations" he said. This week government ministers met to discuss measures to tackle what Kenji Hamamoto, a senior Japan Tourism Agency official, called "overcrowding and breaches of etiquette" across heavily touristed sites. Also Read | Japan's foreign minister arrives in war-torn Ukraine to discuss reconstruction Authorities announced last month that crowd control measures will be imposed if paths get too busy. If this happens, such measures will come into effect for the first time. Yamanashi's governor Kotaro Nagasaki said last week Japan needed to take measures to ensure Mount Fuji did not lose its UNESCO designation. One solution, he said, could be constructing a light rail system to replace the main road leading to the main starting point for hikers. "We firmly believe that with regard to Mount Fuji tourism, a shift from a quantity approach to a quality one is essential," Nagasaki said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Overtourism overruns Mount Fuji in Japan

Japan's Self Defence Forces (JSDF) demonstrated their firepower at the foot of Mount Fuji on August 22 during their annual summer military exercise. Over 2,400 JSDF personnel, 80 tanks and 20 aircraft participated in a variety of live fire and combat drills. Watch this video to know more.

Japan conducts live fire drills near Mount Fuji

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