In the Edo period, climbers had to pay a climbing fee, similar to today’s mountain entrance fee. Many people paid the fee at the reception in front of the Kanadorii Gate and received a pass to climb. However, there were people who entered the mountain from a different entrance, so town offices were setup to collect this fee around the mountain. One of these offices was the Kongōdzue Town Office.

The climbing fee actually included a Kongōdzue, or a pilgrim's staff. Fuji-kō climbers would pick up their staff here. The path continually got steeper as you climbed, so hiking with a stick would make the climb easier.

Nowadays, the staff is sold at the fifth gō mark.
Long ago, it was believed that if the shadow of the staff used to climb Mt. Fuji reflected against the well water, and you gave this water to someone who was sick, it could cure their illnesses. This sounds like complete wizardry, but through this, the lucky people who could climb Mt. Fuji were able to share their own happiness and fortune with the people of their hometown.

In the next illustration, you can see a large quantity of staffs lined up to the left of a hut.