A 27-year-old university student had to be rescued twice in four days on Mount Fuji. The first rescue occurred after he climbed the mountain outside the official season while the second rescue was needed after he went back to search for his lost mobile phone and fell ill.
The student is from China and currently resides in Japan. He was initially rescued on 22 April by helicopter after not being able to go back down the Fujinomiya trail which is 3.000 metres above sea level. He had lost his crampons, a spiked item that hikers attach to their shows for better grip.
Following these events, on 26 April, he had to be rescued one more time after feeling sick from the altitude. According to the police, his life is not endangered.
The man climbed Japan’s most famous mountain twice in a row even though it was outside the official climbing period from 10 July to 10 September. Climbing Mount Fuji is not recommended outside the official season, because of the severe weather. According to the environment ministry, all trails leading to the summit are closed outside the season.
Additionally, to prevent day hikers from being on the trails during the night, the mountain will be off-limits between 2 pm and 3 am for those not lodging in one of the rental huts along the Fuji trails. These huts offer an overnight option for those who prefer to not complete the climb in one day.
“By strongly promoting comprehensive safety measures for climbing Mount Fuji, we will ensure that Mount Fuji, a treasure of the world, is passed on to future generations,” said Koutaro Nagasaki, governor of Yamanashi prefecture, in 2024.
Due to overcrowding, officials in the Shizuoka and Yamanashi prefectures, both encompassing Mount Fuji, established new rules for the 2025 upcoming climbing season. Amongst the new regulation is a 4,000 yen (€24) feel for hikers using any of the four trails to climb the mountain.
Furthermore, to safeguard the one peaceful pilgrimage site, the prefecture has implemented a daily limit of 4,000 hikers on the trails. To do this, an online booking system was set up, and an entrance gate was installed.
However, there are more problems than just overtourism. Hikers have required medical help for various reasons such as not being properly equipped or wearing inadequate gear such as flip-flops or sandals.
As a step to increase safety further, Shizuoka prefecture will require new hikers to attend a safety and regulation briefing followed by a short test at the access point of three of Mount Fuji’s four trails.
