The Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectural governments on Thursday began accepting a voluntary 1,000 yen climbing fee on Mt Fuji for a trial period.

Officials said the plan is to try it out for 10 days before making it permanent from next year. The fee will be used to help preserve the area’s natural beauty.

According to officials, payments will be received from climbers at the sixth station on the Yamanashi side, close to the Safety Guidance Center and near the fifth station at each of the three climbing routes on the Shizuoka side, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. until Aug 3.

Climbers who pay the fee will receive a badge and a receipt on which is printed an illustration of Mt Fuji. Staff will also be requesting visitors to fill out a questionnaire about the new entrance fee and climbers' planned routes on the 3,776-meter mountain, TBS reported.

The Yamanashi prefectural government estimates that around 10,000 mountaineers will pay the entrance fee over the 10-day period.

About 320,000 people are expected to climb Mt Fuji during the two-month climbing season that runs from July 1 to Aug 31, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. Tour operators have reported that many climbs are fully booked.

© Japan Today