Mount Fuji, A Symbol Of Japan, Is Being Overrun By Tourists

There has been a tremendous rise in tourists, leading to pollution, safety worries, and talks about authorities restricting entry.

Over-tourism has become a problem for Japan's most famous mountain, Mount Fuji. The regional governor said it sounds like the renowned peak is "screaming."

In 2013, UNESCO acknowledged Mount Fuji's religious and cultural value, but since then, growing tourism has brought both positive and negative consequences. From 2012 to 2019, the number of tourists that visited Yamanashi prefecture, where the majority of hikers begin their trek, increased by a factor of 5.1.

The mountain's hallowed status is threatened by the steady stream of international visitors brought there by tour buses. The authorities are contemplating draconian measures, such as cutting off access to the mountain through a new train system, since pollution levels have reached critical levels. Concerns have been voiced regarding the potential for human traffic bottlenecks on the paths up Mount Fuji due to the crowds of overseas tourists.

The safety of hikers is only one of many things that might go wrong due to over-tourism, according to Yamanashi prefecture administrator Masatake Izumi. For instance, if a high number of people get stuck in a congestion at the base of the peak, there is a greater chance that catastrophic incidents may occur due to jostling, falls, and falling rocks. Moreover, there has been an increase in calls for help from hikers who aren't prepared for the challenging ascent.

The Japanese government is debating how to deal with the problems of excessive congestion and social infractions at Mount Fuji and other popular tourist destinations. While strategies to manage crowds have been developed, the very act of making them public has already reduced attendance.

Tourist arrivals are predicted to decrease in 2023, but to increase the following year, thanks in large part to an increase in interest from China.

 

source: euronews.com