Shizuoka Officials Seek Rescue Fees as Tourists Defy Mount Fuji Closure

Foreign tourists climbed Mount Fuji on June 9 despite seasonal closures and multilingual no-entry signs at the 5th Station in Shizuoka Prefecture [1, 2].

These illegal ascents have increased the risk to public safety and strained local emergency resources. Shizuoka city officials are now urging that rescue operations be made chargeable to discourage visitors from ignoring safety regulations [1, 3].

Among those who bypassed the barricades was a Canadian climber who said he completed the ascent in 6.5 to seven hours ^[1]. He said that while the predicted summit time was 10 hours ^[1], he felt prepared because he had a GPS device.

A Spanish couple also ignored the restrictions. One member of the couple, who identified as a mountain guide, said they possessed the knowledge required to climb and descend safely ^[1]. She said that the most important factor is knowing when to turn back ^[1].

The Spanish climber further dismissed the danger, saying that Mount Fuji is a mountain she should climb and that the process is easy ^[1]. She said she could climb the mountain in three hours and descend in two ^[1].

Local authorities disagree with the climbers' assessment of the risk. Records show that two U.S. tourists slipped and required rescue in late April ^[3]. In May, one Chinese national slipped and required emergency transport ^[3]. Another foreign climber was reported to have slipped and been rescued on June 6 ^[4].

The mountain is not scheduled to officially open for the season until July 1, 2026 ^[1]. Officials said that the closure is necessary for safety, while some tourists continue to prioritize personal goals over local laws [1, 3].