The Japanese prefecture of Shizuoka has officially announced that the access to the summit of Mount Fuji and its three hiking trails won’t be granted in the summer of 2020 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Major hiking destination of Fuji, crossed with many trails, will be closed throughout the 2020 climbing season annually scheduled from July 10 to September 10, together with Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya hiking trails—all of which begin at the fifth station (Mount Fuji’s halfway point). The decision marks the first time since 1960 that the trails have been closed, while plans for the closure of the three prefectural roads that lead to the fifth station are under way. Similarly, the Yamanashi Prefecture announced the closure of its popular Yoshida trail less than a week ago, out of fears over the COVID-19 pandemic.