Yamanashi Prefecture announced it will introduce a new reservation system for the Yoshida Route to climb Mt. Fuji this summer, in a bid to help with overtourism.

The move will restrict traffic and prevent bullet climbs and congestion, with reservations able to be made from the official Fuji Climbing website up to the day before the climb.

Reservations are optional, but are capped at 3,000 per day and require advance payment of the toll fee of 2,000 yen.

When the maximum number of climbers per day of 4,000 has been reached, no passage will be allowed from the fifth station gate without a reservation.

However, this does not apply to those who have booked lodgings in mountain lodges.

On the day of the climb, visitors will hold the QR code that they received by email over the terminal at the fifth station and a wristband showing proof of payment will be given.

No cancellations or changes can be made for personal reasons, and no one can pass through the fifth station gate after 4:00PM, except for those with lodge reservations.

Reservations for this year’s summer climbing season, which is from July 1 to September 10, will begin on May 20 at 10:00AM on the official Fuji Climbing website.