One of the world’s most impressive peaks, Japan’s Mount Fuji has long captured the imagination of adventurers and tourists.
Known as ‘Fuji-san’, the mountain is Japan’s tallest peak at 3,776m and can be spotted from Tokyo on a clear day.
While the climb isn’t for the faint-hearted, many tourists attempt to reach the peak and there’s even a post office at the summit to send a postcard.
However, a new travel ranking has warned tourists to avoid the popular mountain in 2024 as it’s become overcrowded.
Fodor’s ‘No List’ highlights destinations that tourists might want to avoid. Athens and Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay were also included on this year’s ranking.
According to Fodor’s, too many ill-prepared tourists are risking their lives in an attempt to reach the peak. Climbers are at risk of hypothermia and altitude sickness.
Tourists have also found that there are often intense crowds at the top of the mountain, which can take away from the experience. Richard Campbell, a climber, told Fodors: “Looking up or back down, it was humans every metre or two, as far as the eye could see.”
Local communities have appealed to the Government to introduce tourist caps to help protect Mount Fuji from overtourism. A cap of 4,000 climbers per day has been proposed.
Climbers are asked to pay a 1,000 yen (£5.45) voluntary fee to help with safety and conservation of the mountain but many choose not to.
If the crowds have put you off climbing Mount Fuji, the spectacular mountain can still be admired from a distance or from the bullet train if you’re lucky.
Japan is an incredibly diverse country and Government officials are also working to encourage tourists to visit some of its lesser-known gems.
Source: express.co.uk