The world's 'friendliest country' that's slapping a new tax on tourists to key hotspot

The country's tallest peak is a major tourist destination. (Image: Getty)

One of the world's "friendliest countries" is introducing a new fee for tourists to visit one of its most iconic destinations. Japan’s Yamanashi prefecture will bring in a new ¥4,000 (£26.65) toll for hikers climbing up any of the four main paths of Mount Fuji, the country's tallest peak, this summer.

It came after local authorities passed a bill today which paved the way for the levy to be in effect in time for peak season, between July and September, as per Euronews. Visitors will begin facing the fee this summer as officials look to protect the UNESCO-designated environment, which has suffered from a surge in visitors, prompting concerns over safety and pollution. This is just the latest measure introduced by authorities to tackle the problem after the prefecture introduced an unprecedented 4,000-climber cap for its most popular Yoshida Trail, as well as a ¥2,000 (£10.33) entrance fee and an optional donation.

The stunning mountain is known for its iconic snowcap (Image: Getty)

The new levy will apply to the Yoshida Trail as well as the three other routes as part of a major clampdown.

Environment ministry data suggests the 2024 restrictions may have had an impact, with the number of climbers on the mountain dropping from 221, 322 in 2023 to 204,316 in 2024.

Other regions in Japan are also looking into ways to tackle the pressures of overtourism. Among them is Himeji in Hyogo Prefecture, which has proposed raising the entrance fee to its historic castle for non-residents, as per The Telegraph.

It comes as the country sees a major surge in visitors, welcoming a record-high number of tourists last year.

Over 36.8 million people tourists came to the country for business or leisure last year, according to estimates the Japan National Tourism Organization released in January, in a major boost to the economy.

But though authorities have felt compelled to limit footfall in its most treasured sites, and some locals have pushed back against the tourism surge, visitors often say the country is particularly welcoming to foreigners.

The results of Condé Nast Traveler's Readers’ Choice Awards last year revealed that Japan was voted Best Country for the second year in a row.

But it also ranked as the world's sixth friendliest country with a strong score of 93.25.