Thinking About Accidents on Mt. Fuji: Dangers Climbers Should Know

Thoughts on Mount Fuji (3)

The Risks Every Climber Must Prepare for – and the Reward at the Summit

• Click here for Thoughts on Mount Fuji (1): Mount Fuji, the mountain that captivates the world
• Click here for Thoughts on Mount Fuji (2): Mount Fuji: Japan’s Iconic Landscape Loved Worldwide

In the summer of 2017, I climbed Mt. Fuji.
At the time, climbing was one of my hobbies, and I thought Mt. Fuji was a relatively safe trail for beginners and children, since it doesn’t have the sharp, jagged peaks of places like Mt. Hotaka.
However, then and now, there is an ongoing reality of tragic accidents, especially among inbound tourists.
This is rooted in a sad and simple reason: a lack of information and the tragic casualness of climbing this mountain in inadequate attire.

Imagine spending the night at 3,776 meters, a place where you feel like you can touch the sky.
While it might be warm enough to break a sweat during the day, once night falls, temperatures can plummet to below freezing, and the brutal wind mercilessly steals heat from your body.
This isn’t just “camping outdoors.” It’s a situation where your life is in danger.

1. The Looming Tragedy of Mt. Fuji: The Reality and Statistics of Accidents

Why Do Tragedies Keep Happening? The Background of Mountain Accidents

Due to its magnificent appearance and accessibility, many people may have the image of Mt. Fuji as an “easy mountain to climb.”
However, looking at the statistics of mountain accidents in Japan as a whole, it becomes clear how dangerous this perception is.
According to data from the National Police Agency, there were 3,126 mountain accidents nationwide in 2023, with 3,568 people involved.
Of those, 335 people died or went missing, and 1,400 were injured, showing that a very large number of lives are at risk.

Even more surprising is the proportion of these accidents that occurred on Mt. Fuji alone.
According to Shizuoka Prefectural Police statistics for 2022, there were 56 accidents in the Mt. Fuji area, involving 59 people, 4 of whom died.
This makes it the mountain range with the most accidents in the prefecture and suggests that the image of Mt. Fuji as “safe” is far from the truth.

Looking at the causes of the accidents, there is a large gap between Mt. Fuji’s “apparent safety” and its actual threats.
While there are certainly accidents from falls on rocky ridges like Mt. Hotaka, the most common causes of accidents on Mt. Fuji are unrelated to technical difficulties: fatigue and illness/other.
Of the 59 accident victims on the Shizuoka Prefecture side in 2022, 22 were due to fatigue, followed by 17 from illness/other, and 13 from slips/falls.
This indicates that a steady stream of climbers overestimate their physical strength and health and are so unprepared that they run out of energy before reaching the summit.

The Truth of Mt. Fuji Told by Accident Statistics: The Fatal Causes and Victims

A specific trend is also seen in the age groups of the victims.
National mountain accident statistics show that about 80% (79.9%) of victims are middle-aged and older (40 years and above), with those 60 and older making up about half (49.4%) of the total.
The same is true for Mt. Fuji victims on the Shizuoka side, where about 50% are 60 and older, with the majority of accidents noted as being caused by fatigue.

This suggests the danger of people overestimating the physical strength and experience they had when they were younger and attempting a climb without regular training.
While the trail on Mt. Fuji is well-maintained, the altitude difference is significant, and there is a risk of altitude sickness, so sufficient physical fitness and planning are essential.

While people tend to focus on the ascent, accidents are more frequent during the descent.
Data from the Shizuoka Prefectural Police shows that 75.5% of accidents occurred during the descent.
This means that a loss of focus from the sense of accomplishment and fatigue often causes people to slip on rocks or gravel, sprain an ankle, and become unable to move.
The goal of a climb is not simply reaching the summit but returning safely to the base.

Tragic Incidents Revealed in the News

There are also raw, tragic aspects that statistics alone cannot convey.
In June 2024, even though the official climbing season had not yet begun, a heartbreaking accident was reported where four climbers were found near the summit crater, three of whom had died.
This event highlighted how easily a casual attempt to climb in severe, winter-like weather can put lives at risk.

In December 2012, an accident occurred where a man who had fallen due to strong winds requested rescue, but a helicopter was unable to approach due to bad weather, and his body was found the next day.
This incident serves as a painful reminder of the reality that the weather on Mt. Fuji can change suddenly, and once it deteriorates, rescue efforts become difficult.

News reports also tell the story of the many recent accidents involving inbound tourists.
An article in Bengoshi.com warned that a veteran climber who has summited Mt. Fuji seven times sees many foreigners attempting to reach the summit in light attire such as sandals, T-shirts, and shorts, like they are simply tourists. Furthermore, one climber recounted a surprising experience of encountering a Czech tourist on an icy slope about to slip without an ice axe; he lent his axe and taught the tourist how to use it on the spot.

These incidents clearly show that the gap between Mt. Fuji’s image as a “tourist destination” and its reality as a “mountain over 3,000 meters” is causing serious accidents.

2. The Deeper Causes of Accidents: The Price of Climbing Casually

Don’t Underestimate Mt. Fuji: The Fatal Mistakes of Light Clothing and Lack of Information

The point raised by experienced climbers – “they’re underestimating the mountain and climbing in light clothing” – gets to the core of the accidents on Mt. Fuji.
Mt. Fuji is a solitary peak with nothing to block the wind, so its weather is highly unstable and can change suddenly.

Even if it’s sunny and warm at the base, the temperature drops by about 0.6°C for every 100-meter increase in altitude, and the perceived temperature drops by about 1.0°C for every 1 m/s increase in wind speed.
This results in a temperature difference of about 9°C during the day and more than 13°C at night between the 5th Station and the summit.
It’s not uncommon for temperatures to drop to near 0°C in the early morning while waiting for the sunrise at the summit in the summer.

Attempting to climb in this environment with light clothing such as sandals, thin sneakers, or cotton T-shirts is literally an act of risking your life.
In particular, cotton clothing absorbs sweat and is slow to dry, making it a major cause of hypothermia by drawing heat away from your body.
Rain gear not only protects you from rain but also acts as a windbreaker against strong winds. Without these items, climbing becomes impossible.

However, despite the well-known dangers, why are there still so many lightly dressed climbers?
The Ministry of the Environment and related organizations have created safety climbing guidelines not only in Japanese but also in English, Chinese, and Korean, and have distributed them widely at mountain gear stores, travel agencies, and airports.
Signs are also multilingual and have a unified design.
It seems there is a sufficient “supply” of information.

However, the problem may not be the “supply” but the “awareness” of the information.
A survey of mountain huts reported problems with foreign visitors such as “bad manners” (70%) and “couldn’t understand foreign languages” (63%).
This suggests that a certain number of people view Mt. Fuji as simply a “World Heritage Site” and do not realize the preparation and mindset required for climbing.
Even if guidelines exist, if there’s no awareness of the need for them, the information won’t reach those who need it.

The Dangers of “Bullet Climbing” that Put Lives at Risk

Another major cause of the frequent accidents on Mt. Fuji is “bullet climbing,” where climbers don’t stay at a mountain hut and instead climb through the night to see the sunrise at the summit.
This is something many climbers attempt because they want to save time and see the sunrise from the top.

However, this practice comes with fatal risks.
First, you can’t get enough sleep or rest, so you become extremely physically exhausted.
Fatigue is the biggest cause of accidents, especially those that happen during the descent.
Also, because you can’t rest or sleep at high altitudes, your body doesn’t have time to acclimatize, and the risk of developing altitude sickness increases dramatically.

Furthermore, to see the sunrise from the summit, you have to leave the mountain hut in the early morning when the temperature is at its lowest.
During this time, the trail from the 8th Station on the Yoshida Route becomes particularly crowded, and you can get stuck in a jam.
In a situation where many people are slowly moving forward step-by-step using headlamps, it becomes difficult to maintain body temperature, and the risk of hypothermia increases even more.

The strong desire to see the magnificent sunrise, ironically, leads to the most dangerous situations.
By staying at a mountain hut, you can slowly acclimatize as you climb, conserve your energy, and warm your body while waiting for the dawn.
You can also see a beautiful sunrise from the mountain hut itself, and if you aim for the summit after it gets light, you can see your footing better and enjoy a safer climb.

3. Preparation and Mindset to Protect Your Life: A Complete Guide for Safe Climbing

Your Gear Is Your Passport to Life: Absolutely Essential Items

Climbing Mt. Fuji is by no means a casual hike.
The gear you use to protect your life is not a “just in case” but an absolutely essential item.

• Shoes
  The trail on Mt. Fuji has a lot of volcanic gravel and rocky areas, so sturdy, high-cut hiking boots that cover your ankles are essential.
  Sneakers can get holes in the sole, and sandals are out of the question.
  Also, gaiters (spats) that prevent sand from getting into your shoes are a good idea on the “sand run” sections of the Subashiri and Gotemba trails.
• Clothing
  The basic principle is to wear layers to handle temperature changes.
  Choose a synthetic, fast-drying material for your base layer and wear a warm fleece or down jacket over it.
  Also, be sure to carry a waterproof and breathable rain suit (top and bottom) to protect against strong winds and rain.
• Lights
  Whether you plan to climb at night or not, always bring a headlamp.
  It’s very possible that a traffic jam or feeling unwell could delay your descent until after sunset.
  A headlamp leaves your hands free and is essential for safety on rocky terrain.
• Other Items
  You will sweat, so rehydrate often.
  Sports drinks and oral rehydration solutions are effective.
  High-calorie snacks (chocolate, nuts, etc.) for energy and a first-aid kit for minor injuries are also essential.
  Always carry an emergency blanket to prevent hypothermia while waiting for the sunrise or in an emergency.
  A helmet is also recommended to protect your head from falling rocks or volcanic bombs in the event of an eruption, as are a mask and goggles to protect you from dust and volcanic ash.

Altitude Sickness, Hypothermia, and Heatstroke: The Three Big Risks and How to Counter Them

On Mt. Fuji, there are three major risks: altitude sickness, hypothermia, and heatstroke.
Knowing how to counter each of them beforehand can save your life.

• Altitude Sickness
  Symptoms include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
  The most important prevention is to climb slowly.
  Taking a 1-2 hour break to let your body acclimatize after arriving at the 5th Station is very effective.
  Also, remember to breathe deeply and hydrate often.
  Carrying a pulse oximeter to measure your blood oxygen saturation can help you objectively monitor changes in your physical condition.
  If you feel the symptoms are severe, the best course of action is to give up the summit and descend immediately.
• Hypothermia
  Symptoms include severe shivering, confusion, and difficulty walking.
  The key to prevention is to avoid getting wet and cold.
  Wear fast-drying underwear to prevent a chill from sweat, and use fleece and rain gear for insulation and wind protection. It is important to change out of any wet clothes immediately.
• Heatstroke
  Heatstroke can happen even at high altitudes.
  The key to prevention is frequent hydration.
  Sports drinks and oral rehydration solutions are especially good for efficiently replenishing electrolytes lost through sweat.

Your Climbing Plan and Mindset: The Highest Priority for a Safe Return

Finally, the most important thing is a strong will to return safely and the plan to make it happen.
When you set out to climb Mt. Fuji, be sure to submit a climbing plan.
This will allow for preparations to be made in the event of an emergency.
And if you plan to stay in a mountain hut, be sure to make a reservation in advance during the busy season.
This is the most realistic and safe option to avoid the high-risk behavior of bullet climbing and to get enough rest for your mind and body.

“The mountain is not going anywhere.”
This phrase, also in the official Mt. Fuji climbing guidelines, is a lesson for all climbers.
It’s pointless to take unnecessary risks out of a desire to reach the summit.

4. The Journey of Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guide to Time and Access

Time and Features for Each Route: Choose the Path That’s Right for You

There are four main climbing routes on Mt. Fuji. Each has different features, so it’s important to choose one that fits your physical ability and experience.

Access to the Trailheads: A Recommendation for Planned Travel

You can access the 5th Station of each route by train, bus, or private car.
However, private cars are often restricted during the summer climbing season, so you must check in advance.

• Yoshida Route
  Convenient direct highway buses from Shinjuku Station to the 5th Station.
  By train, take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station, transfer to the Fuji Kyuko Line to Mt. Fuji or Kawaguchiko Station, and then transfer to a climbing bus.
• Fujinomiya Route
  Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji Station or Mishima Station, or the JR Minobu Line to Fujinomiya Station, and then transfer to a climbing bus.
  During the private car restriction period, you must park at the Mizugatsuka Park parking lot at the base and transfer to a shuttle bus.
• Subashiri and Gotemba Routes
  Climbing buses run from JR Gotemba Line’s Gotemba Station. During the private car restriction period, you will need to park at the Subashiri multi-purpose parking lot or Mizugatsuka Park and use a shuttle bus.

Conclusion

Mt. Fuji may indeed be a mountain that beginners can challenge.
However, behind that “easiness” is a special environment unlike any other mountain in Japan, at an altitude of 3,776 meters.
If you go without preparation, in light clothing, and with a casual mindset, you won’t get to see beautiful scenery – you’ll be putting your life at risk.

However, if you correctly understand the risks of this mountain and approach it with thorough preparation and a strong mindset, an unforgettable experience awaits you at the summit.
The majesty of the sunrise, the sea of clouds below, and the pride of standing at the highest point in Japan.
These are the greatest gifts reserved for those who persevere and make it to the top.

I believe Mt. Fuji is a mountain everyone should climb at least once in their life.
If you have come to Japan, you should definitely visit.

References

• National Police Agency: Overview of mountain accidents in 2023
• Shizuoka Prefectural Police: Overview of mountain accidents in 2022
• Official Mt. Fuji Climbing Site: https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/weather/
• Fujisan Net: Guidelines for ensuring safety when climbing Mount Fuji
• Kanto Regional Environmental Office: Osunabashiri and Sunabashiri

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