Typhoon 15 brought heavy rain and strong winds to Mount Fuji on Aug. 11, prompting safety warnings for hikers [1, 2].
The timing of the storm coincided with Mountain Day, a national holiday that typically draws large crowds to the peak. The sudden shift in the typhoon's trajectory increased the risk of accidents for climbers at various elevations, necessitating urgent safety interventions from local authorities.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, weather conditions deteriorated across the mountain, specifically affecting the summit, the fifth station, and the ninth station [1, 2]. The temperature at the fifth station was recorded at 13.0°C during this period [1].
Local businesses took immediate precautions to prevent property damage. A souvenir shop employee said they used plywood panels to secure signs and closed shutters to prevent items from being blown away by the wind [1].
"I didn't think it would come because it was initially veering away, but the path is now directly over the center, so it was sudden," the employee said [1].
Hikers were observed seeking shelter from the rain at the fifth station while receiving guidance on how to navigate the worsening conditions safely [1, 2]. The staff member said that since they rarely fall directly into the path of a typhoon, their options for preparation are limited to basic boarding and closing shutters [1].
"I just hope there is no damage," the employee said [1].
“The path is now directly over the center, so it was sudden”
The intersection of a national holiday and a shifting typhoon path created a high-risk scenario for Mount Fuji's tourism infrastructure. Because the storm's trajectory changed unexpectedly, the window for evacuation and preparation was narrowed, highlighting the vulnerability of high-altitude commercial zones to rapid weather shifts.
