Starting April 1, visitors will need to pay for parking at the famous Arakurayama Sengen Park, known for its stunning views of Mount Fuji and the Chureito Pagoda. The Fujiyoshida City Council approved this measure to manage the growing number of tourists and reduce traffic congestion in the area.
The park has become increasingly popular on social media as a prime spot to capture both Mount Fuji and the pagoda in a single photo. However, this popularity has led to problems such as traffic jams and illegal parking, causing difficulties for local residents.
Under the new system, parking fees will vary by location:
- Parking lots close to the park: 1,500 yen for 6 hours (2 locations)
- Parking lots further away: 1,000 yen for 6 hours (2 locations)
Additionally, the city will increase parking fees in downtown Fujiyoshida to 1,000 yen for up to 12 hours. This change aims to discourage unsafe behavior, such as tourists stopping in the middle of the road to take photos.
Mayor Shigeru Horiuchi explained, “These measures will help protect the safety and peace of mind of local residents by managing the flow of vehicles into our community.”
These changes are part of the city’s efforts to balance tourism with the needs of local residents, a challenge that many popular tourist destinations in Japan are facing as international visitors return in large numbers.
