Japan has had an intense focus on overtourism of Mt. Fuji lately, with the prefectures where the hiking entrances to Fuji reside taking steps to manage the crowds. Unfortunately, hikers – including Japanese residents – are failing to take the necessary precautions or heed weather warnings. The result is an increase in requests for help – and, in four cases so far, a tragic loss of life.
Four dead as season kicks off
The Mt. Fuji hiking season kicked off recently, with the Yamanashi Prefecture side opening its entrances earlier this month. The Shizuoka entrances opened on July 10th, a few days ago.
The typical route up Fuji is a heck of a climb. Depending on the route, it consists of over 1,000 meters of elevation gain and eight kilometers or more of hiking. The longest route from Shizuoka, Gotemba, only goes up 1,440 meters but consists of 18.9km of total hiking.
Sadly, some people are tackling the hike unprepared. Others are forging ahead despite strong rains that make it treacherous. In both cases, they’re suffering the consequences.
News reports say that a man in his 60s was discovered unconscious near the 8th Station on the Subashiri route on July 14th. Firefighters arrived on the scene and confirmed the man had died.
The deceased was a local resident from Shizuoka Prefecture. The Subashiri route consists of 1,700 meters of elevated climb and a total 13.1km of total hiking.
The man’s death represents the fourth death on Mt. Fuji in four days. On opening day, July 10th, a man in his 50s fell at the volcano’s rim near the summit. On the 11th, a 77-year-old resident of Komae, Tokyo died on the Gotemba Route. That same morning, a man collapsed and died on the Fujinomiya route.
Despite concerns about tourists endangering their lives on Mt. Fuji, two of the victims are Japanese citizens. There’s little information on the identities of the remaining two victims. However, given that local news isn’t trumpeting their nationalities in blaring headlines, I’d say it’s even money that they are also Japanese citizens.
Weather plays a role
The deaths represent a spike in lives lost compared to 2023, in which only two hikers on the Shizuoka side died.
In the past, Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefecture officials have urged hikers to prepare properly for the long hike and to avoid dangerous behavior. One of the most frowned upon practices is so-called “bullet climbing,” in which hikers push through exhaustion overnight to catch the am sunrise at the summit.
One complicating factor this year has been the weather. The Chubu and Kanto regions of Japan have been beset by strong rains lately, with Fuji also beset by strong winds. Officials beseeched would-be hikers to turn back and not attempt the climb in the dangerous conditions. Some who did ended up turning back, admitting that the weather was too dangerous to continue.
No reservation required in Shizuoka – and that’s a problem
Mt. Fuji has always been a popular tourist destination. However, with the record surge of inbound foreign tourists, its hosting prefectures have had to contend with overcrowded conditions that make the climb even more dangerous.
Both Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures have been looking at proactive ways to address the crowding. One idea even includes running light rail up the mountain – a controversial idea that numerous parties oppose and that has yet to be implemented.
One idea that the Yamanashi side did implement this year? A reservation system. Anyone who wants to hike the popular Yoshida trail must now reserve a spot and pay a 2,000 yen fee. The system enables Yamanashi to limit the total entries to 4,000 hikers a day.
Unfortunately, the Shizuoka side faces a higher hurdle in implementing such a system. That’s because the land below the Eighth Station on the Shizuoka side doesn’t belong to the prefecture but to the Fujisan Hongū Sengen-Taisha Shrine.
That’s complicated efforts to implement tolling. It also means that the overeager overflow hikers who couldn’t get a reservation to the Yoshida trail are now going to Shizuoka. That means Shizuoka’s trails, already overcrowded, now have to handle even more visitors.
Shizuoka does have a pre-registration system. However, it doesn’t demand that people use it. On the other hand, it is checking that climbers who enter after 4pm have a reservation at an overnight hut to prevent bullet climbing.
Preparing for your Mt. Fuji hike
A hike up Mt. Fuji is a dream for many travelers to Japan. However, it can also be a dangerous experience. My own recommendations for making the hike would include:
- Book a spot on the Yoshida trail so you can avoid overcrowding. If you go to the Shizuoka side, make sure to pre-register and watch any required safety videos.
- Don’t make the climb empty-handed! Read up thoroughly on how to prepare for the hike. Read these guides from the Japan National Tourist Organization and the Mt. Fuji Official Web site. Read up fully on all the risks and how to prepare for them.
- Do not bullet climb. Rent a hut if you want to catch the sunrise and rest before the last bit of climb.
- If officials tell you it’s too dangerous to climb, listen to them and give up your plans. Go wallow your misery in a good bottle of sake at the base of the mountain instead. Try and book for another day or, if that’s not possible, settle with seeing Fuji from a distance.
Of course, there’s so much more to see in Japan than just Fuji – and many other mountains to climb as well. Contact us at Unseen Japan Tours – we can create an itinerary customized to your interests and even act as your guides and interpreters.
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Sources
富士山の登山道に倒れた男性…死亡を確認 静岡側が開山してから死者は早くも4人目 救助要請も相次ぐ. TV Fukuoka
登山口と登山ルート. Mt. Fuji Official Site
御殿場ルート. Mt. Fuji Official Site
富士山遭難、2日で3人死亡 荒天でも“強行登山”続出 危険な“軽装”も. TV Asahi
富士山の静岡県側、山開きから２日間で登山者３人死亡…悪天候が影響か「登らない判断も大切」. Yomirui Shimbun
