05:09Thousands gathered at Mount Fuji on Monday for the opening ceremony of the new hiking season, despite the weather conditions and new rules limiting the number of tourists allowed to climb each day.
Footage shows tourists preparing for their hike at Mount Fuji and paying the hiking fee. They are later seen climbing the mountain while wearing hiking suits, rain ponchos, and trekking backpacks.
Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a 2,000 yen (12 US dollars) entrance fee and reportedly limited daily climbers to 4,000 participants to control overcrowding on the popular route and enhance safety measures for climbers.
"Over the past years, yes, a lot of incidents. Way too many people climb the mountain, it is very dangerous and it may pose a danger to other travellers as well. So, I think: just restrict the amount of people and charge people some money. I think it's very reasonable" said David, a hiker from Taiwan.
"So, last night it was, we had the 75 kilometres per hour winds, this morning as well. We didn't hike up for sunrise, and they held us at our place until about nine o'clock [...] They have first aid stations, so, it was safe, they were looking out for your best interest," added more hikers from the US.
Local reports highlighted Governor Kotaro Nagasaki's emphasis on preserving the mountain's ecological integrity and cultural significance, especially following its designation as a World Heritage site in 2013.
'We want everyone to climb safely' - Hikers swarm Mount Fuji as new season opens in early July
Thousands gathered at Mount Fuji on Monday for the opening ceremony of the new hiking season, despite the weather conditions and new rules limiting the number of tourists allowed to climb each day.
Footage shows tourists preparing for their hike at Mount Fuji and paying the hiking fee. They are later seen climbing the mountain while wearing hiking suits, rain ponchos, and trekking backpacks.
Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a 2,000 yen (12 US dollars) entrance fee and reportedly limited daily climbers to 4,000 participants to control overcrowding on the popular route and enhance safety measures for climbers.
"Over the past years, yes, a lot of incidents. Way too many people climb the mountain, it is very dangerous and it may pose a danger to other travellers as well. So, I think: just restrict the amount of people and charge people some money. I think it's very reasonable" said David, a hiker from Taiwan.
"So, last night it was, we had the 75 kilometres per hour winds, this morning as well. We didn't hike up for sunrise, and they held us at our place until about nine o'clock [...] They have first aid stations, so, it was safe, they were looking out for your best interest," added more hikers from the US.
Local reports highlighted Governor Kotaro Nagasaki's emphasis on preserving the mountain's ecological integrity and cultural significance, especially following its designation as a World Heritage site in 2013.
Thousands gathered at Mount Fuji on Monday for the opening ceremony of the new hiking season, despite the weather conditions and new rules limiting the number of tourists allowed to climb each day.
Footage shows tourists preparing for their hike at Mount Fuji and paying the hiking fee. They are later seen climbing the mountain while wearing hiking suits, rain ponchos, and trekking backpacks.
Yamanashi Prefecture introduced a 2,000 yen (12 US dollars) entrance fee and reportedly limited daily climbers to 4,000 participants to control overcrowding on the popular route and enhance safety measures for climbers.
"Over the past years, yes, a lot of incidents. Way too many people climb the mountain, it is very dangerous and it may pose a danger to other travellers as well. So, I think: just restrict the amount of people and charge people some money. I think it's very reasonable" said David, a hiker from Taiwan.
"So, last night it was, we had the 75 kilometres per hour winds, this morning as well. We didn't hike up for sunrise, and they held us at our place until about nine o'clock [...] They have first aid stations, so, it was safe, they were looking out for your best interest," added more hikers from the US.
Local reports highlighted Governor Kotaro Nagasaki's emphasis on preserving the mountain's ecological integrity and cultural significance, especially following its designation as a World Heritage site in 2013.