Mt. Fuji Climbing Season Opens, Yamanashi and Shizuoka Trails Open Simultaneously

TOKYO, July 1 (CNA) -- Japan's Mt. Fuji climbing season began today, marking the first time in 13 years that both Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures have opened their respective trails to the summit simultaneously. This year, management authorities are also offering cashless payment options for the toll fee at the halfway point.

There are four main climbing routes up Mt. Fuji: the Fujinomiya, Subashiri, and Gotemba routes on the Shizuoka side, and the Yoshida route on the Yamanashi side. These trails are only open annually from early July to September 10th, with the rest of the year being the off-season.

According to Yamanashi TV (UTY), management authorities have implemented a cashless payment system at the 5th station of Mt. Fuji (stations are used in Japan to measure climbing progress, divided from the base to the summit as 1st to 10th station) for tourists to pay the toll fee of 4,000 yen (approximately NT$800). Some tourists have already paid the toll fee when booking their climb.

The gate at the 5th station of the Yoshida route opened this morning, allowing climbers to enter and begin their ascent towards the summit. Around 4:30 AM, the clouds at the 6th station cleared, offering climbers a beautiful sunrise view of Mt. Fuji.

While the three climbing routes on the Shizuoka side traditionally open on July 10th, the Subashiri route in Shizuoka and the Yoshida route in Yamanashi opened on the same day this year. This signifies the first simultaneous opening of Mt. Fuji climbing routes by both prefectures in 13 years.

In conjunction with the opening of the Subashiri route, mountain huts on Mt. Fuji have also begun operations. Medical stations from the 5th to the 8th station of the Yoshida route will have doctors stationed throughout the summer climbing season.

The Fujinomiya and Gotemba routes on the Shizuoka side will open on the 10th of this month. (Compiled by Yang Wei-jen) 1150701

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