Preserving the Pristine Beauty of a Sacred Symbol

Mt. Fuji has been a symbol of Japan and venerated as sacred since ancient times. It is a source of great pride to the residents of Shizuoka Prefecture. Its popularity, however, has also played a part in the deterioration of its environment with an increase in usage by hikers and a surge in illegal dumping. Recent years have seen strategies being put in place to address these issues. The “Mt. Fuji Comprehensive Environment Protection Guidelines” were issued in 1996, and Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture together adopted the “Mt. Fuji Charter” in 1998.

Mt. Fuji Summit crowded with climbers

Increasing the Awareness About Garbage

Trash is becoming a major problem on Mt. Fuji but the efforts of several groups that work to clean up and raise garbage awareness among visitors are beginning to pay dividends. The prefectural government is also playing its part by providing ecological toilet facilities for the more than 200,000 hikers who climb Mt. Fuji each year. The Mt. Fuji Network and its Mt. Fuji Eco-Rangers have worked since 1999 to increase awareness of Mt. Fuji’s environment. The Mt. Fuji 100 Year Project 3776 Vision was set up in 1999 to preserve the natural flora of Mt. Fuji through the joint efforts of volunteers and the government, replanting vast areas of land with a view to regaining the natural landscape of a century ago.

Volunteers clean up roadside garbage.

Working Towards a World Heritage Site Listing

In a major step to increase awareness on a global level of the history and beauty of Mt. Fuji, efforts are under way to include it on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Aside from the spectacular scenery of the mountain and the riches it offers in terms of clear water and stunning vistas, Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area offer over 30 sites for viewing Japan’s famous cherry blossoms in the spring. The mountain has been an inspiration for poets, painters and writers for generations, and is also widely recognized overseas as one of the most spectacular anywhere.

Grass-cutting activity to stimulate reforestation