In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, two prefectures that border Mount Fuji in Japan have announced that all four of their mountain trails will be closed throughout the summer, NHK Japan reported.
Two prefectures to close four mountain trails
These two prefectures are the Shizuoka prefecture and the Yamanashi prefecture.
- Shizuoka Prefecture: Gotemba trail, Subashiri trail, Fujinomiya trail
- Yamanashi Prefecture: Yoshida trail
The three mountain trails in the Shizuoka prefecture will be closed for two months from July 10 to Sept. 10, 2020, which is Mount Fuji's official climbing season each year.
On the other hand, the Yoshida mountain trail in the Yamanashi prefecture has reportedly already been closed.
First time since 1960 that all four mountain trails will be closed
According to Japan Times, this is the first time since 1960 that all four mountain trails in the two prefectures will be closed.
While Shizuoka is currently discussing with related agencies on whether to close the prefectural roads leading up to the three trails, all cabins along the routes will remain closed.
In 2019, Mount Fuji attracted about 236,000 climbers during climbing season.
Approximately 85,000 of those climbers used the three routes managed by Shizuoka, while the rest of the climbers used the Yoshida mountain route, which is the most popular amongst the four.
Top image via Unsplash
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