Government

Mount Fuji adds self-service kiosks for climber fees

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July 2, 2026

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The 2026 climbing season at Japan's Mt. Fuji Mount Fuji's opened June 30 with the launch of the popular Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi Prefecture and the Subashiri Trail in Shizuoka Prefecture, accompanied by new self-service payment kiosks designed to streamline entry.

Yamanashi installed two kiosks at the Yoshida Trail's fifth station to collect the 4,000-yen (about US $25) climbing fee from hikers who did not preregister online, according to a Japan Today report, helping reduce congestion at one of Japan's busiest climbing routes.

The kiosks are part of broader visitor management efforts as officials respond to rising tourist numbers and concerns about overcrowding and ill-prepared climbers. Yamanashi is encouraging hikers to preregister and pay online before arriving, while also increasing patrols and safety personnel at the summit throughout the climbing season. Two additional trails on the Shizuoka side of the mountain are scheduled to open July 10.

Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, attracts hundreds of thousands of climbers each year. Officials hope the combination of online registration, self-service kiosks and enhanced safety measures will improve visitor flow while protecting the mountain and enhancing the climbing experience.