Local authorities in Yamanashi Prefecture are proposing to begin charging people to climb Mount Fuji, it has emerged.
Politicians and local officials have expressed their concerns about the environmental impact of climbers on the mountain and have suggested a fee as a way of funding efforts to maintain the popular, 3,776-metre attraction.
Over the summer, a record 430,000 people scaled the mountain, reports Japan Today.
Kazuo Okuwaki, assistant chief of the Mount Fuji section of the Fujiyoshida municipality, commented: "We'd like to study the feasibility of the introduction of an entry fee in cooperation with the prefectural government and neighboring city, town and village offices."
Those who are less inclined to embark on a trek up the mountain can enjoy wonderful views of it from Shin-Fuji station, weather permitting.
Mount Fuji is a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1708. It is open for climbing in July and August.