Overtourism is always a heated topic, but what about Mt Fuji and its World Heritage status that is at stake? Let’s chat about Mt Fuji’s climbing season and stricter measures in place, the danger of the off season, the last time Fuji erupted in the 1700s, the fear of the mega earthquake which could trigger the next eruption, and more!

Got questions or want to share your story? Send us an email at [email protected]

Frankie - @franklinthewoman

Cheyenne - @lostwithlow

Words mentioned/useful words

横入り yoko hairi - cutting the line/queue 

インスタ映え insta ba e - instagrammable, photogenic 

References/sources:

As Tourists Flood In, Kamakura Battles Vandalism and Public Urination

https://unseen-japan.com/kamakura-tourists-vandalism-urination/ 

City finds mutual solution to deal with hordes of Mt. Fuji tourists

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15863480 

'Traffic jam on Mt. Fuji': See the scene as Japan's highest peak is facing overtourism

https://edition.cnn.com/videos/travel/2023/09/11/mount-fuji-japan-overtourism.cnn

The Last Time Mt. Fuji Erupted… And What Might Happen Next

https://unseen-japan.com/the-last-time-mt-fuji-erupted/#The_Great_Mt_Fuji_Eruption_of_1707

Overtourism brings headaches for hosts of Mt. Fuji

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/3336/

Overtourism Helps Revive Retro Ghost Town Near Mt. Fuji

https://unseen-japan.com/mt-fuji-ghost-town-revival/

Don’t Climb Mt. Fuji Offseason, Shizuoka Police Warn; Mountain Saw 4 Deaths Last Year While Trails Closed

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20250504-252690/#:~:text=The%20same%20student%20had%20climbed,was%20closed%2C%20four%20involved%20death.

6 die on Mt. Fuji in first month of season, topping last year’s total

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15391016

Time stamps

00:00 hello/intro/line cutting incidents

7:17 overtourism chaos in Kamakura

12:13 ever climbed Mt Fuji?

14:11 Fuji-san 1707 eruption

18:07 the inevitable mega earthquake

21:44 overtourism on Fuji, environmental damage

26:58 Fuji’s climbing season, new measures

31:33 climbing off season - no!

36:41 rescues during the hiking season

38:35 comparison to Everest

40:34 positive tourism outcome around Fuji