Mount Fuji starts climbing season with a stunning sunrise

Climbers view the sunrise at the summit of Mount Fuji, where the climbing season kicked off in Yamanashi Prefecture on July 1. Shinnosuke Ito Climbers atop the 3,776 meter summit of Mount Fuji expressed excitement when the bright sun rose against a cloudless sky on July 1 as the climbing season for Japan's tallest peak kicked off.

This is the most beautiful sunrise I've ever seen, said Masayuki Kaburaki, 64, of Yokohama. It's the first time I've seen the sun rise as a perfect circle since the sky is so clear. He has climbed Mount Fuji more than 20 times.

Very nice. Nicole Jekel, 48, who is in Japan on business from Germany, said she will hold onto this memory for the rest of her life. He said his dream came true.

On July 1, climbers watched the sun rise from the summit at around 4: 30 a.m. when the Yoshida trail opened for the season, a trekking route from the Yamanashi Prefecture side.

Many climbers take four routes from the fifth station of the mountain to the summit.

The three other routes -- the Fujinomiya, Gotenba and Subashiri - trails on the Shizuoka Prefecture side -- are expected to open on July 10.

All routes are scheduled to be open until Sept. 10.

The four routes were closed in 2020 due to the novel coronaviruses.

The routes were opened last year for the first time in two years, but the number of climbers dropped to about one-third of the figure in 2019.

Lodges on the mountain will take thorough measures to prevent coronaviruses infections.

The number of guests allowed to be halved is asked by climbers to book reservations in advance. Some lodges are already full booked on weekends and during the mid-summer Bon holiday period.

The Yamanashi prefectural government is asking climbers to fill out health check sheets before they can fill out health check sheets. Climbers are asked to show the sheet and take their temperatures at the fifth and sixth stations on the mountain.

If no problems are found, climbers will be asked to refrain from climbing, if they have temperatures of 37.5 degree or higher, or have a temperature one degree higher than usual.

Climbers are allowed to remove masks, but they are asked to cover their noses and mouths when passing others.

The Shizuoka prefectural government will ask climbers to check their temperatures and health conditions at the fifth stations of their three routes or at parking lots where climbers can board shuttle buses. If no problems are found, climbers will receive wristbands.

Climbers are also asked to undergo medical checks at accommodation facilities in municipalities around Mount Fuji.