Why This Japanese Travel Influencer Recommends Not Hiking Mount Fuji

Japan is the dream travel destination of many because it is not only full of incredible food and cultural experiences, but also is a great place for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy skiing, snorkeling, and hiking. When it comes to hiking in Japan, most visitors turn their attention to Mount Fuji — which is globally known as one of those world-class mountains with ethereal views. The trek up Japan's most famous volcano requires around two days to complete and involves high altitude gains (putting trekkers at risk of experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness). For adventure seekers, this sounds like a blast because who wouldn't want to hike up Japan's most iconic mountain?

However, according to one Japanese travel influencer, Mount Fuji may not be such a good idea. In fact, Tony Xia Chuan took to Instagram to explain why hikers should avoid this gorgeous mountain, and his main reason? It is simply too crowded. According to Chuan, the mountain receives around 4,000 trekkers a day leading to long lines and a diminished experience. This is partially due to the recent boom in tourism to Japan caused by post-COVID travel and the drop in the value of the Yen, making a trip to this Far East destination more affordable than ever. This travel boom has led to overcrowding on the mountain, making the trek less fun for travelers and also causing locals to become "unhappy," according to Chuan's post. 

The biggest reason that locals are frustrated and concerned over the crowds on Mount Fuji is due to the effects on the environment. The Economic Times reports that many stopping points on the mountain run on diesel generators and rely on trucks to deliver water and manage waste. However, these waste management systems don't always work well and have left some Japanese trekkers frustrated by the leftover food wrappers and drink containers that are typically scattered around the trail.

Unfortunately, this situation has become so dire that the mayor of the closest Japanese prefecture that controls the entrance to Mount Fuji was quoted by NPR as saying that "Mount Fuji is screaming." The local government has also begun worrying whether or not they will be able to uphold the mountain's UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Mount Fuji received the prestigious World Heritage Site status in 2013, but now concerns over the ecological impacts of mass tourism threaten that distinction.

Another reason to avoid the crowded trek up Mount Fuji is that, according to those who have been there, it simply may not be worth the hassle. As Japanese travel influencer, Chuan, pointed out in his post, there are also much better hikes in Japan than Mount Fuji. Travelers on Reddit seem to agree with this sentiment with one commenter stating that "the views from [the peak] are nothing to write home about," and another chiming in that "it's objectively not a good hike [and] there's a reason no one does it twice." In fact, the general sentiment around the hike seems to be that it is better to see Mount Fuji than it is to climb it with one reviewer on Trip Advisor noting that Fuji is "a mountain that is much more beautiful viewing from afar than being on the actual mountain."

So, if not Mount Fuji, then where? According to Chuan, you should instead opt to hike in Japan's Southern Alps which are right next to Fuji and offer incredible views of the iconic mountain itself while being surrounded by wildlife (since it hasn't been scared away by mass tourism like on Fuji). You can also choose trails in the Central Alps or Northern Alps for a more peaceful and natural hiking experience.