KOFU: Mount Fuji will reopen to climbers July 1 after staying closed last summer due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Yamanashi prefectural government has said.

The central Japan prefecture Wednesday announced the opening of the Yoshida trail on the nation’s tallest mountain after a field survey to confirm the safety of the trail.

Mount Fuji straddles Yamanashi and neighboring Shizuoka Prefecture. The Yoshida trail, located on the Yamanashi side of the mountain, is slated to be open until Sept. 10.

Climbers will be asked to submit a health check sheet or have their temperature taken before entering the trail.

Usually, the Fuji Subaru Line toll road, which gives direct access to the fifth station of Mount Fuji, a starting point for the Yoshida trail, is open 24 hours a day.

However, it will operate with shorter hours during the trail’s open period this summer, from 3 a.m. until 6 p.m. for people going up the road and until 7:45 p.m. for those going down.

Three first-aid stations on the Yoshida trail will also be available.

JIJI Press