As the Mount Fuji climbing season drew to a close earlier this month, authorities were assessing the success of a new ¥1,000 voluntary climbing fee, which almost half of hikers skipped paying. It was introduced this year following a trial in 2013.

Formally called the Fujisan Preservation Fund, the optional fee applies to all four climbing routes. Because the 3,776-meter mountain straddles Yamanashi and Shizuoka, both prefectural governments were responsible for collecting the cash.

Here is how the project went, with a summary of problems facing trail administrators: