Overall Conservation Approach for the Upper Access Routes
and Their Associated Huts and Tractor Routes
1 Purpose
The ascending routes taken by pilgrims and the mountain huts -- facilities meant to support
climbers -- originate from the worship ascents (or “Tohai”),

which were made as part ofreligious practice. Meanwhile, the tractor routes are indispensable for the operation of mountainhuts and the transport of injured and sick people. Therefore, in order to maintain the “spiritualquality” and “aesthetic quality” that characterize Fujisan, comprehensive conservation andmanagement should be promoted, with a focus on harmonious and mutually complementing
relations between theascending routes, mountain huts, and tractor routes.

2 Existing State(1) Ascending routes
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture are actively engaged in maintaining theascending routes, making inspections of the ascending routes based on the “PracticalGuidelines for the Patrol of Fujisan Ascending Routes”, and conducting repair andmaintenance work, using local materials.
In addition, where man-made structures such as stone-fall protection works are installed orrepaired, Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture make efforts to integrate the shapeand design of these structures with the surrounding scenic landscapes.

(2) Mountain huts
Mountain huts are set up and operated by private companies with the permission of theMinistry of the Environment as part of the park project based on the Park Plan of theFuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (Fujisan District) under the Natural Parks Law. With regard to
the shape and design of the facilities and signs at the mountain huts, due consideration is to begiven to scenic landscapes based on the Park Management Plan and the General Guidelines forSigns on Fujisan, etc.

(3) Tractor routes
Tractor routes are the freight roads that have been used by the associations of mountain huts
owners and operators to transport goods are necessary for the operation of mountain huts. In
addition to the transportation of goods, they function as an important public lifeline,|57

facilitating the emergency transportation of injured or sick people.
Also, efforts have been made to control environmental impacts by minimizing the frequencyof the operation of tractors.

3 Issues
Since the ascending routes and mountain huts originate from worship ascents as religious
practice and tractor routes are indispensable for the operation of mountain huts etc., these threeelements of Fujisan’s infrastructure are closely related to one another.
Nevertheless, hardly any attempt has been made to operate these three elements in acomplementary or mutually harmonious manner.

(1) Ascending routes
There are some places on Fujisan where the geological stability of the slope is low anderosion from rain, storms, and snowmelt is progressing. On the other hand, slopes made ofrobust lava are not likely to be affected by climbing.
Therefore, it is necessary to continue research into, and analysis of, the impact of erosion,and to take measures to enhance the efficacy of conservation measures that meet the specificgeological conditions of individual erosion spots.
Further, it is necessary to select the materials and engineering methods of man-madestructures such as stone-fall prevention walls, in a way that protects the ascending routes, while
not damaging the atmosphere or appearance of Fujisan.

(2) Mountain huts
At the moment, efforts are being made to mitigate the negative impact of huts on Fujisan’sscenery by working from the existing standards for the exterior appearance of facilities andsigns. However, further measures to improve scenic landscapes are needed.

(3) Tractor routes
It is technically difficult to shift completely the mode of transportation from tractors to otheroptions such as helicopters, due to Fujisan’s severe climate conditions along with other factors.
It is also difficult to change the paths of tractor routes or the color of tractors for safety reasons.
Therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate materials and engineering methods from theperspectives of the natural environment, the sacred atmosphere, and the mountain’s appearance
from ascending routes.

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4 Policies
To facilitate a harmonious and mutually-complementing relationship between the ascending
routes, mountain huts, and tractor routes, the following two policies are set out: “To implement
the Visitor Management Strategy” and “to select materials and engineering methods inconsideration of scenic landscapes etc.”(1) To ensure the implementation of the Visitor Management Strategy
To ensure the implementation of measures set out in the Visitor Management Strategy, withthe aim of promoting a “desired style of Fujisan ascent” that maintains the spirit of worshipascents, in order to control theimpact of visitors on the ascending routes.

(2) To select materials and engineering methods in consideration of scenic
landscapes
To select appropriate materials and engineering methods in consideration of the naturalenvironment, the sacred atmosphere, and Fujisan’s appearance from ascending routes at all
times when maintenance work on the ascending routes is necessary.

5 Measures(1) To ensure the implementation of the Visitor Management Strategy
Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture will play a central role, based on local
consensus, in controlling visitor impact on the ascending routes by taking measures to mitigate
the concentrations of visitors during specific periods.

(2)To select materials and engineering methods in consideration of scenic
landscapes(i) Ascending routes
 Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture are to monitor constantly the points
eroded by storms, rain, and snowmelt, along with signs of the impact of ascents,
through patrols of the ascending routes. Also Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka
Prefecture are to improve the effectiveness of maintenance work by integrating bestpractices and appropriate materials and engineering methods into maintenance andrepair work. (Reference information 1, page 62.) When man-made structure such as stone-fall prevention walls are to be installed orrepaired, Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture are to decide on the materials
and engineering methods to be used, taking into consideration opinions of experts in|59

various fields to help mitigate the adverse impact of the appearance of man-madestructures. (Reference information 2, page 64.)(ii) Mountain huts
 Relevant stakeholders will work together to research and improve the existing state of
the appearance of the mountain huts, signs, etc., in order to maintain the sacredatmosphere of the mountain and to enhance harmony between the huts and scenic
landscapes. (Reference information 3, page 65.)(iii)Tractor routes
 Relevant stakeholders will work together to research the existing state of tractor routes
etc., and analyze the degree of their impact upon scenic landscapes.
 To continue consultation and discussion with regard to allowing relevant stakeholders toorganize the effective operation of freight vehicles and the introduction of low-noiseand low-emission vehicles so that their impact on the natural environment can be
reduced and harmony with the scenic landscapes may be promoted.

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Reference Information|

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Reference Information 1: Patrols of Ascending Routes
・ Summary
The officers of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture are patrolling theascending routes of Fujisan that are prefectural roads before and during the summer
climbing season for the purpose of maintaining the ascending routes and ensure thesafety of climbers.
The staff on patrol repair the ascending routes and signs on the spot if they find any
damage to ensure the safety of climbers. If the damage cannot be repaired on the spot,
provisional safety measures are taken so that they would not cause any inconveniences
to climbers. The staff then immediately contact contractors to make arrangements forrepair work.

Reference Information 1: Patrols of Ascending Routes

Guidelines for Patrolling Ascending Routes (excerpt)62|

・ Actions already implemented
Since it was anticipated that climbers would increase after the inscription of Fujisanon the World Heritage List in 2013, the frequency of the ascending route patrols byofficers of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture has been increased since 2013.
In particular at the Yoshida Ascending Route, which is used by many climbers, thefrequency of the patrol of the ascending route has been increased since 2012, one year
before inscription.

Patrols of ascending routes

The maintenance and management of ascending routes are to be done basically bymaintaining the current gravel roads with consideration to the natural environment andlandscape. Patrols and repair works are to be implemented with increased frequency toensure the safety of climbers.
<Process>
Category
FY

Short term
(implemented)
2013 2014 2015

Medium termLong term

20162018 or later

2017

Maintenanceandrepair of ascending
routesPatrol of ascending
routes|Reference Information 1: Patrols of Ascending Routes

・ Future actions

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Reference Information 2: Maintenance of Structures such as Rockfall Protection
walls
・ Summary
Necessary artificial structures such as rockfall protection walls are constructed toensure the safety of climbers and to maintain ascending routes.
・ Actions already implemented
Artificial structures have been constructed, by adopting methods in consideration ofscenic landscapes, such as paining them in harmony with the surrounding mountaintextures. Even more effective visual harmonization methods are explored for future
improvement in terms of consideration to scenic landscapes.
Further visual harmonization methods will be tested in consideration of opinions fromlandscape experts and others and the appropriate methods will be selected from theperspectives of feasibility, durability, etc. Questionnaire survey will also be carried out
to hear opinions of climbers in an effort to find the ideal visual harmonization method.

Reference Information 2: Maintenance of structures such as rockfall walls

・ Future actions

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The results of test implementation etc. will be verified and efforts will be made toadopt visual harmonization methods that meet the specific conditions of the place where
the artificial structure in question is installed.

An example of visual harmonization (greening of walls)<Process>
Category
FY
Maintenanceandrepair
ofascending routes and exploration ofvisual harmonization methods forartificial structures
Maintenanceandrepairofascending
routesandtestimplementation
ofvisualharmonization methods for artificial
structures
Verification of test implementation
Maintenanceandrepairofascending
routesandimplementation
ofvisualharmonization of artificial structures

Short term
(implemented)
2013 2014 2015

Medium termLong term

20162018 or later2017

Reference Information 3: Maintenance of Mountain Huts.
・ Summary
In order to maintain the spiritual and aesthetic qualities characteristic of Fujisan, theimprovement of the exterior of mountain huts, signs, etc. are pursued.
・ Actions already implemented
The “Fujisan Signage Stakeholders’ Liaison Council”, consisting of The Ministry ofthe Environment, Yamanashi Prefecture, Shizuoka Prefecture, relevant municipal
governments, tourist associations, mountain hut associations, etc., has adopted the“General Guidelines for Signs on Fujisan” and promoted the improvement of signs interms of color, display manners, etc. in accordance with the guidelines.
Also, with regard to the exterior appearance of mountain huts, it should be noted thatmany of them retain the atmosphere of their origin, rock caves, in their retention walls.
In addition, explanation is provided about the origins of mountain huts and religious
elements such as the household altars inside the huts, with a view to showing the role ofmountain huts as religious centers.
With regard to the landscapes along the Yoshida Ascending Route, where many
mountain huts are located, Yamanashi Prefecture has set up a committee consisting ofexperts in cultural properties, architecture, etc. and started the discussion toward thedevelopment of “visual harmonization guidelines” for mountain huts, in order to develop
landscapes compatible with “sacredness” and “beauty” in the future.

The relevant stakeholders work together to improve the exterior appearance ofmountain huts, signs, etc.
In particular, for the Yoshida Ascending Route, where many mountain huts exist,“visual harmonization guidelines” will be developed and consultation will be continued
with the relevant stakeholders such as mountain hut associations toward the realizationof the exterior appearance of mountain huts compatible with “sacredness” and “beauty”.

Exterior appearance of amountain hut that retains theatmosphere of a rock cave

Household altar
mountain hutinsidea

Signboard explaining about theorigins of mountain huts etc.

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Reference Information 3: Maintenance of Mountain Huts etc.

・ Future actions

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