Yamanashi Prefecture has collected a total of ?590 million in entrance fees for one of its Mount Fuji trails, more than double the amount from last year, the prefecture said Tuesday.

This year, the prefecture doubled the entrance fee for the mountain¡¯s most popular route ¡ª the Yoshida Trail ¡ª from ?2,000 to ?4,000.

Despite the price hike, the number of people visiting Mount Fuji during the climbing season ¡ª from July to the beginning of September ¡ª remained largely unchanged.

The number of people the prefecture had permitted to enter past the 5th Station of the trail through either the online reservation system or at the entrance on the day of was 149,713 this year, a 12-person increase from the previous year.

The entrance fee hike has allowed the prefecture to expand safety measures and maintenance work.

Last year, first-aid stations with a doctor or nurse present were only open for 40 days out of the approximately 72-day climbing season; this year, first-aid stations were open every day.

A portion of the collected fees will be used to construct emergency shelters to prepare for possible disasters, such as the eruption of Mount Fuji. Yamanashi Prefecture is currently working to build 13 shelters on the mountain, two of which are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year.

Part of the fees will also be allocated to pay for personnel stationed at the 5th Station, such as 24-hour security guards.

Yamanashi Prefecture began charging hikers past the 5th Station in 2024 in order to ease congestion and prevent unsafe climbing.

Those looking to make the climb must either make an online reservation and pay beforehand or pay at the ticket booth on the day of. The number of climbers that can enter the Yoshida Trail is capped at 4,000 per day.

This year, Shizuoka Prefecture ¡ª where the other side of Mount Fuji is located ¡ª also began charging a ?4,000 entrance fee for three of its trails, which had previously been free of charge.