Foreign Tourists Rush to Climb Mt. Fuji Before Closure

Sep 13, 2025 | News On Japan

SHIZUOKA, Sep 13, 2025 (News On Japan) - With all trails officially closed from midnight on September 11th, Mt. Fuji has entered its winter closure period, marking the end of the 2025 climbing season. Despite the restrictions, some foreign tourists have been seen ignoring the rules and pushing ahead with their climbs.

On September 10th, the news crew visited the Yoshida Trail at the 5th Station. Among those preparing to ascend were a pair of tourists from Mexico. They complied with regulations by entering the trail on September 10th, just before the seasonal closure.

"We started climbing around 5 p.m. on the 10th," one of the climbers said. "We were told that the 11th would be the last day the mountain huts were open."

With all trailheads shut from midnight, these climbers were among the last to make a legal ascent.

"I only had this day free," said another climber. "But I got to see a lot of beautiful views, so I’m glad I went."

In contrast, other tourists were seen ignoring the closures entirely. Several foreign visitors admitted to knowing the trails were off-limits but proceeded anyway.

"Yeah, I knew we weren’t supposed to go in," one said. "But I couldn’t move my schedule earlier, so I had no choice but to climb today."

Another tourist from the United States told reporters, "My friend got injured, so I’m bringing them water," before crossing the barricade and heading up the mountain.

Authorities in Shizuoka Prefecture are warning that violators may face penalties of up to six months in jail or fines of up to 300,000 yen for ignoring the trail closures.

Source: FNN

Japan's Airports and Bullet Trains Packed as Five-Day Holiday Ends

Airports and railway stations across Japan were crowded on September 23 as travelers returned from their hometowns and holiday destinations on the final day of the five-day Silver Week holiday, with international flight arrivals reaching their peak and many afternoon Shinkansen services fully booked.

Typhoon No. 25 Leaves Major Rail Disruption Across Chiba

Extensive railway disruption continued across Chiba Prefecture on September 23 as JR East warned that several lines damaged by Typhoon No. 25 would remain closed beyond the Silver Week holiday, even as flights returned toward normal, all typhoon-related expressway closures were lifted and some highway bus services resumed. The storm has left widespread damage to railway tracks and embankments, with flooding, landslides and fallen trees complicating restoration work.

Typhoon No. 25 Death Toll Rises to 9, With 4 Still Missing

The death toll from Typhoon No. 25 rose to nine on September 23, with four people still missing in Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures, as renewed rainfall raised fears of further landslides in communities devastated by the storm.

Road to Imperial Palace's Otemon Gate Flooded by Typhoon

The road leading to Otemon Gate at Tokyo's Imperial Palace was flooded on September 22 after heavy rain from a typhoon caused water in the surrounding moat to overflow.

Japan Pushes India to Final Ball in Historic Sano Cricket Match

Japan came within two runs of producing one of international cricket's biggest upsets on September 22, pushing reigning T20 world champion India to the final ball before losing a rain-shortened match at Sano International Cricket Ground in Tochigi Prefecture.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Japan's First Overnight Shinkansen Runs From Osaka to Tokyo

Japan's first overnight Shinkansen service departed Shin-Osaka Station at around 10 p.m. on September 22, taking passengers on a special journey to Tokyo that included a six-hour stop at Shin-Fuji Station, where travelers spent the night aboard the train before enjoying views of Mount Fuji at dawn.

Road to Imperial Palace's Otemon Gate Flooded by Typhoon

The road leading to Otemon Gate at Tokyo's Imperial Palace was flooded on September 22 after heavy rain from a typhoon caused water in the surrounding moat to overflow.

Readable Phone Booth Appears at Haneda Airport

A phone booth that converts the voice of the person on the other end of a call into real-time text has been installed at Haneda Airport for four days, offering visitors a glimpse of technology designed for people who have difficulty hearing telephone conversations.

Peach Launches Narita-Incheon Route

Peach Aviation began scheduled flights between Narita Airport and South Korea's Incheon International Airport on September 20, marking the low-cost carrier's first new international route from Narita in seven years.

Five-Day Silver Week Holiday Begins

Japan's Silver Week began on September 19 with five consecutive days off for the first time in 11 years, drawing crowds to food and festival events across the country despite rainy weather in the Kanto region as Typhoon No. 25 approached.

Mount Tokachi Volcano Continues to Emit Smoke

Volcanic smoke continues to rise from Mount Tokachi (Tokachidake), an active volcano in Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido, one week after its eruption alert level was raised to Level 3, restricting entry to the mountain and prompting a series of cancellations at nearby hot spring inns just before the peak autumn foliage season.

Kyushu Shinkansen Back on Track for Silver Week

The Kyushu Shinkansen will resume operations along its entire route on September 18 after suffering extensive track and other damage in the Kumamoto earthquake, raising hopes that the long-awaited restoration will help revive tourism in disaster-hit areas ahead of the Silver Week holiday period.

Bear Sighting Raises Alarm at Popular Tokyo Hiking Spot

A black bear has been spotted near one of the most popular hiking trails on Mount Takao in western Tokyo, prompting authorities to urge visitors to take precautions ahead of the five-day Silver Week holiday and the approaching autumn foliage season.

< 2 3 4 5 >