What environmental challenges (such as waste issues) does Mount Fuji face with the increase in tourists?

The "Beautiful Sorrow" of Mount Fuji: When a Sacred Mountain Meets the Human Tide

When we think of Mount Fuji, the iconic image from postcards likely comes to mind: snow-capped, sacred, and serene. However, the reality is that as Japan's national symbol and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each summer. This immense "affection" places a heavy burden on the mountain.

Imagine the crowded scene of a popular tourist attraction, then place that scene on a mountain towering 3,776 meters high. Suddenly, many problems become significantly more difficult.

1. The Most Visible Pain: Ubiquitous Garbage

This is perhaps the most obvious issue. But Mount Fuji's garbage problem is more complex than you might think.

• Visitor Trash: Common items include snack wrappers, plastic bottles, and used hand warmers. Though most climbers today understand the principle "carry out what you carry in," exceptions exist. In the high-altitude environment—cold and exhausting—a moment's carelessness can let wind sweep trash away, wedging it deep into rock crevices where it becomes extremely difficult to remove.
• Historical Legacy of Waste: In eras with less environmental awareness, some people believed burying trash in the mountains was "returning it to nature." Near the 5th Station (a midpoint on the ascent), workers once discovered a massive illegal dump site filled with everything from construction debris to household appliances—a shocking sight.
• "Invisible" Waste: Leftover instant noodle broth or food scraps dumped directly onto the ground. These salty, oily substances alter the soil composition, proving fatal to the mountain's delicate alpine plants.

(This is a conceptual diagram for illustrative purposes)

2. The Unseen Pollutant: Toilets and Waste Disposal

This is perhaps the most awkward yet critical problem. With hundreds of thousands of visitors, how is human waste managed?

In the past, many mountain toilets used a "垂れ流し" (tare-nagashi) system—essentially discharging waste directly onto the mountainside. It sounds unthinkable, but it was the reality. This untreated waste would wash down with rainwater, severely contaminating Mount Fuji's precious underground water resources. It's crucial to remember that many residents and farmlands in the foothills rely on this snowmelt water. It was like fertilizing a backyard, but done on a sacred, snow-covered peak, with grave consequences.

To address this, most toilets on Mount Fuji have been replaced with high-tech bio-toilets. These use microorganisms to break down waste without pollution, but they are very expensive to maintain. Consequently, climbers today pay to use the toilets (typically 100-300 Yen), with the fees covering the upkeep of these eco-friendly facilities.

3. "Thousands of Footsteps": The "Scars" on the Trails

What happens when hundreds of thousands of people tread the same paths?

• Trail Erosion: Sturdy volcanic gravel trails become increasingly loose and wider. During rain, water washes this loose material away, carving gullies—like "scars" across the mountainside.
• Vegetation Damage: To avoid crowds or take shortcuts, some hikers stray off designated trails. The alpine plants on Mount Fuji are incredibly fragile; once trampled, they struggle to recover.

4. The Unbearable Weight on the Ecosystem

Beyond the issues above, increased tourism brings other impacts:

• The Problem of "Bullet Climbing" (弾丸登山, dangan tozan): Many opt for overnight ascents to save time and money, skipping mountain hut stays ("bullet climbing"). They climb non-stop to the summit for sunrise before immediately descending. This is highly dangerous for the climbers (risking altitude sickness) and causes severe "traffic jams" on trails at dawn. Furthermore, the glare from hundreds or thousands of headlamps disrupts the habitat of nocturnal wildlife.
• Invasive Species: Seeds from plants at lower elevations can cling to hikers' shoes and clothes. If these unwanted "guests" take root on the mountain, they threaten the survival of native alpine flora.

In Summary

Essentially, Mount Fuji faces the challenge of finding a balance between "tourism development" and "ecological conservation." It is both a world-class travel destination and a natural heritage that demands reverence and protection.

To tackle these issues, local governments and environmental groups are implementing measures like:

• Collecting a "Conservation Cooperation Fee": A voluntary contribution requested upon access for environmental maintenance.
• Setting a Climber Cap: Starting summer 2024, the popular Yoshida Trail began enforcing daily climbing quotas and mandatory access fees.
• Organizing Volunteer Cleanups: Large volunteer groups participate in annual mountain clean-up drives.

We hope that on future visits to this incomparable mountain, we can all be responsible tourists, truly embracing the principle: "Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints."