[Yamanashi Prefecture Imposes Off-Season Rescue Fees for Mount Fuji Climbers]
Starting next year, hikers who attempt to climb Mount Fuji during off-peak seasons but later require helicopter rescue must cover the associated costs, according to officials managing the mountain’s northern side.
This fee forms part of a broader set of measures being introduced by Yamanashi Prefecture to discourage reckless or inadequately prepared mountaineers.
A comparable rate of 8,000 yen (approximately $51 or £38) for every five-minute interval has already been implemented in neighboring Saitama Prefecture for other mountainous regions and serves as a benchmark for fare-setting.
In addition, Yamanashi authorities will require individuals planning to ascend Fuji during the shoulder period—defined as from early September through July of the subsequent year—to submit comprehensive climbing itineraries in advance.
“We request that members of the public avoid climbing during the off-season. These measures hope to prompt people to better understand what traversing Mount Fuji in winter entails,” stated Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki on Monday.
Authorities in both Yamanashi and adjacent Shizuoka Prefecture—which administers the southern portion of the cone—have observed a surge in spontaneous, off-season ascents, some of which have left climbers stranded.
Shizuoka officials plan to penalize persons who neglect mandatory registration of their off-season climbing endeavors while intensifying efforts to exclude climbers from restricted zones.
Notably, no helicopter rescue surcharge was announced for the region.
The official climbing window for Mount Fuji spans from July to early September, with roughly 200,000 hikers targeting the summit annually.
While summits can occasionally occur outside this timeframe, strictly speaking it is prohibited until platforms numbered from one to five remain operational.
Nevertheless, virtually all alpine taverns and sanitation facilities close during the off-season. Moreover, adverse weather patterns and challenging trail conditions frequently plague visits at these times.
