Travel

Shizuoka Studies Yamanashi’s Approach to Managing Overtourism on Mt. Fuji

SHIZUOKA, Oct 22 (News On Japan) - The Shizuoka Prefectural Assembly’s special committee on the preservation and proper use of Mt. Fuji held its fourth meeting on October 21st, hearing from officials of Fujiyoshida City in neighboring Yamanashi Prefecture about their initiatives to curb “bullet climbing” — the practice of ascending the mountain overnight without adequate rest or preparation.

The committee is examining strategies to balance environmental conservation, safe access, and the control of overtourism on the iconic mountain.

During the session, Fujiyoshida officials explained that closing entry gates at night and installing multilingual signs for foreign visitors have helped reduce the number of such risky climbs.

Haneda Masatoshi, head of Fujiyoshida’s Mt. Fuji Division, said: “We provide guidance for those who are inadequately equipped, and if climbers are missing essential gear, we encourage them to rent or purchase equipment at shops around the Fifth Station before starting their ascent.”

Committee members asked questions about safety guidance centers jointly operated by police and local governments, as well as the medical aid stations set up around the Eighth Station. The special committee plans to compile its findings into a report for submission to the prefectural assembly’s February regular session.

Source: SBSnews6

Do Bears Prefer Acorns or Berries?

Bear sightings across Japan have already climbed to nearly twice the level recorded during the same period last year, prompting entry bans in mountain areas behind Kyoto’s Ninna-ji Temple and the cancellation of hiking events in Kansai, while new research suggests that the key to reducing encounters may lie in understanding what bears eat in each region.

Copper Thieves Target Japanese Shrines

Copper roofing panels were stolen from several shrines in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, including a city-designated cultural property, in the latest case amid a nationwide surge in copper thefts targeting shrines and temples across Japan, where soaring metal prices have fueled crimes that leave historic religious buildings damaged, exposed to the elements, and facing repair costs of millions of yen.

1200-Year-Old Temple on Miyajima Reduced to Ashes

Flames broke out on the morning of May 20th on Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, home to one of Japan's World Heritage sites, destroying Reikado Hall near the summit of Mount Misen.

From Bento Boxes to Garbage Bags, Rising Costs Hitting Daily Life Across Japan

Uncertainty surrounding the situation in the Middle East is beginning to affect daily life in Japan, as concerns over crude oil supplies spread to restaurants, cleaning services and even household garbage disposal systems across the Kansai region.

Tochigi Robbery-Murder Suspect’s Wife Posted Dance Videos on Social Media

A 25-year-old woman arrested as a suspected ringleader in a robbery-murder case in Tochigi Prefecture once posted cheerful dance videos on social media and was remembered by those who knew her as an energetic and outgoing young woman.

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