Japan to charge rescue fee for off-season Mount Fuji climbers

Authorities in Yamanashi will also mandate that off-season climbers submit detailed climbing plans. Governor Kotaro Nagasaki expressed hope that these new requirements would prompt potential climbers to reconsider the risks associated with winter ascents. A similar fee structure, serving as a reference, is already in effect in Saitama prefecture, charging 8,000 yen ($51) for every five minutes of helicopter rescue.

Both Yamanashi and neighboring Shizuoka prefecture, which governs the southern slopes of Mount Fuji, have observed an increase in off-season and unplanned climbs, leading to stranded hikers. Shizuoka prefecture will introduce penalties for those who do not register their off-season climbing attempts and will enhance measures to prevent access to restricted zones. However, Shizuoka has not yet announced plans for a helicopter rescue fee.

Mount Fuji typically attracts around 200,000 hikers annually during its official climbing season. While climbing outside these months is permitted up to the fifth station, most mountain facilities, including huts and toilets, are closed, and weather conditions become significantly more severe.