Yamanashi, November 6, 2025 – Japan’s Environment Ministry just dropped the hammer: Mount Fuji’s Yoshida Trail will allow only 2,000 climbers per day starting July 1, 2026. Online permits open January 15, 2026 at ¥4,000 each—non-refundable, name-bound, QR-only.
Why Fuji Needed the Lockdown
- 2025 saw 280,000 summer climbers → 42 tons of trash, 1,200 rescues, zero toilets above 3,000 m.
- Locals dubbed it “Fuji Instagram Hell”: bullet-climb crowds, selfie deaths, sacred torii gates used as coat racks.
- New rules mirror Bhutan’s daily fee: pay more, climb calmer.
What ¥4,000 Actually Buys You
- Timed entry slot (4 waves: midnight, 2 am, 4 am, sunrise)
- Mandatory 1-hour “Mountain Manners” video in English
- Free shuttle from 5th Station + heated eco-toilet pass
- GPS beacon rental (return or ¥50,000 fine)
- Kids under 12 free but limited to 200 slots
5 New Ways to Love Fuji Without the Queue
1. Off-Peak Luxury (May & September)
Zero cap, ¥2,000 permit. Stay at the new Fujisan Sky Lodge (opens April 2026): 22 glass pods at 2,700 m, ¥180,000/night with private onsen and sunrise butler.
2. Backdoor Routes (open all year)
- Subashiri, Gotemba, Fujinomiya trails stay uncapped.
- 3-day “Fuji Circle” glamping loop with e-bike drop-off.
3. Virtual Fuji (yes, really)
¥800 VR climb at Tokyo’s new Fuji Metaverse Hub—haptic wind, 360° GoPro feeds from real climbers.
4. Lake Kawaguchi “Anti-Instagram” Retreat
New Silent Fuji Ryokan: phone lockers, film-only cameras, ¥45,000/night.
5. Winter Ice Climb (Dec–Mar)
Guided only, 15 slots/day, ¥120,000 includes crampons and champagne at summit.
Who Wins, Who Loses
Winners
- Serious hikers: 70% fewer people = actual silence at sunrise.
- Locals: ¥1.2 billion annual fund for trail restoration.
- Luxury operators: 400% spike in ¥200,000+ Fuji packages.
Losers
- Budget climbers: last-minute midnight dashes dead.
- Influencers: no more “I woke up at 2 am” reels with 500 strangers.
Booking Hacks
- January 15, 09:00 JST: 1.4 million bots expected—use the official app’s “Fuji Lottery” for fair queue.
- Cancelled slots drop daily at 18:00—set alarm.
- Pair with new Fuji Shizuoka Airport (12 daily flights from Seoul, Taipei, Singapore).
The Bigger Picture
Japan’s “Beautiful Japan 2030” plan caps 12 more sites by 2028: Miyajima deer park, Okinawa reefs, Kyoto bamboo grove. Overtourism tax revenue already rebuilt 42 mountain huts.
Mount Fuji just became the world’s most exclusive sunrise. Secure your slot or watch it on VR—2026 is booked solid.