Mt. Fuji Sunrise Rush Still Causes Dangerous Crowding Near Summit Despite New Climbing Rules
Severe crowding on trails just below the summit of Mt. Fuji has persisted, despite the introduction of restrictions on climbers.
Despite new climbing rules, the rush to witness the sunrise from Mount Fuji's summit still leads to dangerous crowding. In the summer climbing season from July 1 to September 10, more than 240,000 people reached the summit, exceeding pre-restriction levels. On some days, the close proximity of climbers near the top raised concerns about the potential for a chain reaction if someone were to fall.
Authorities are now using infrared counters to monitor the number of climbers and evaluate the restrictions' effectiveness. Measures have included climbing fees, daily limits of 4,000 climbers, and increased deployment of staff near the ninth station. This summer, favorable weather contributed to higher visitor numbers, with around 245,000 climbers using the main trails: Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya.
The crowding persists, with The Yomiuri Shimbun's analysis finding that climbers continue to gather near the summit before sunrise, maintaining the same patterns as before the restrictions. This has resulted in risks of cascading falls, rockfalls, and exposure to severe weather for extended periods. Guides have warned climbers about the dangers of overcrowding and have called for wider trails, though these proposals have not been implemented due to their status as a special protection zone under Japan's Natural Parks Law.
Written by urgent.news from The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
