(MENAFN) Japan officially kicked off the Mount Fuji climbing season on Tuesday, aiming to reduce overcrowding and mitigate environmental impact, according to local media reports.

The season commenced as the busiest trail, the Yoshida Trail, opened to hikers, with local authorities implementing a steep fee increase. The fee was raised to 4,000 yen ($28), double the usual cost, to help manage congestion, media reported from Tokyo.

In a bid to control the flow of hikers, the Yamanashi Prefecture has set a daily cap of 4,000 climbers for the popular trail. The trail, which leads to the summit of the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) mountain, will remain open until September 10.

This move comes as officials respond to an influx of foreign visitors and rising concerns over the number of unprepared hikers on the mountain in recent years. Authorities are tightening restrictions to ensure safety and environmental protection.

Hikers planning to take the Yoshida Trail must confirm compliance with local guidelines when booking online, which include wearing proper clothing and footwear for the conditions.

Meanwhile, three additional trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side of Mount Fuji will open on July 10.

Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 2013, attracts hundreds of thousands of climbers annually during its official season, which runs through September.

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