The trail and climber management and its cost recovery from the climbers at Mt. Fuji in Edo Period

Abstract

The cost recovery from wildland recreation has become international issues. In Japan such trends are found only in specific facilities such as mountain toilets. However, diverse cost recovery methods had developed at Mt. Fuji in Edo period (1600~1867) ,and contributed to the trail and climber management as well as to local economy just like current ecotourism guidelines. There exists no record on environmental education but environmental impacts were much smaller than current ecotourism. The author analyzed the trail and climber management, and its cost recovery methods based on historic documents and clarified the following. First, six mountain villagers not only managed four routes, but they visited Edo (Tokyo) and other areas to invite potential customers to Mt. Fuji as early as in the 16th century, and managed them properly. This contributed to sustainable development of local communities and brought Mt. Fuji boom in the early 19th century among the populace. Second, in the earlier stages climbers often complained of inconsistent amount of fees solicited at many places. Gradually the accommodation managers in each mountain village charged a lump-sum payment in advance, and the climbers received vouchers valid at respective gates. Furthermore, the unification of the climbing fees and discount to specific climbers was proposed. Third, gradually hospitality management rules was established to sustain climber-dependent communities. Four, Omiya Shrine in charge of the mountain top went backward to charge individual fees at the crater wall.