Mount Fuji natural sites face environmental and accessibility challenges

Natural monuments at the base of Mount Fuji are experiencing contrasting environmental impacts due to varying levels of accessibility and tourism.

In Oshino Hakkai, a collection of eight ponds fed by Mount Fuji's meltwater, significant issues have arisen from tourists throwing coins into the water. Despite multilingual signage prohibiting the practice, divers have recovered approximately 50,000 coins over the last decade. This trend, driven by the misconception that throwing coins grants wishes, poses risks to water quality and the local ecosystem.

Conversely, the Narusawa Ice Cave and Fugaku Wind Cave remain largely preserved in their natural states. These lava tubes, formed by eruptions approximately 1,100 years ago, require visitors to wear helmets and navigate narrow, difficult passages. This inherent inconvenience acts as a natural barrier to mass tourism, helping to maintain the geological integrity of these sites compared to the highly accessible Oshino Hakkai.