Japan collects admission fee from climbers to Mount Fuji

Japanese local authorities on Thursday started collecting a 1,000-yen admission fee from those climbers to the Mount Fuji in an effort to fund for preserving the environment at the Japanese icon, reported local media.

The fee, which was set on a trial basis by Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures that the mountain straddles, is for now in a 10-day test period through Aug. 3, said Japan's Kyodo News.

The fee collection boxes will be set at several starting points and officials will also station at the points to survey those who paid the fee on their feel and suggestions.

The local governments are expected to officially introduce the system next summer.

More climbers would be attracted to the mountain as it has been enrolled as UNSECO's World Heritage List last month, said the local authorities.