Month: September 2025

The 2025 Mount Fuji climbing season concluded on September 10, 2025, for four main trails, the Yoshida, Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya trails.

Key details for the 2025 climbing season:

Yoshida Trail in Yamanashi Prefecture: Opened on July 1 and closed on September 10 at 6:00 p.m.

Subashiri, Gotemba, and Fujinomiya Trails in Shizuoka Prefecture: Opened on July 10 and closed on September 10 at 5:00 p.m.

Problem: A surge in climbers, particularly international tourists, caused overcrowding, litter, and strain on facilities.  The majority of them are those who choose it for their first climbing experience.

Safety Concerns: Climbing during the closed season is dangerous due to extremely low temperatures and the closure of mountain huts and toilets. 

New for 2025: In addition to the traditional closures, new climbing restrictions, registration requirements, and a 4,000-yen toll fee were implemented for all routes to prevent overcrowding and ensure safety.

A new permanent torii-style gate has been installed on the Yoshida Trail to monitor climbers and ensure the fee is paid.

Environmental and Cultural Preservation: New rules in 2025 aim to protect the mountain’s fragile environment and cultural integrity by ensuring climbers are prepared and aware of trail etiquette.

Yet, numerous incidents, including accidents and near-misses, occurred during the climbing season, with a significant number attributed to a lack of experience and preparedness among climbers, especially beginners. Key causes included getting lost, falls, altitude sickness, and hypothermia, all exacerbated by insufficient planning and inadequate gear. Authorities implemented new safety measures, such as mandatory safety studies and online reservations, but many climbers continued to face dangers due to a lack of fundamental climbing knowledge and failure to submit climbing plans. 

A guide to climbing Mount Fuji:

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6901.html

https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/index.html

https://www.fujisan-climb.jp/en/climbing-season/climbing-season.html

https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/talks-global-plastic-pollution-treaty-adjourn-without-consensus; https://www.globalplasticaction.org/inc52; https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20250814_09/; https://resource-recycling.com/plastics/2025/08/20/plastics-treaty-talks-end-without-consensus-or-a-plan/; https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/15/plastic-pollution-talks-geneva-treaty

The international community is struggling to reach a consensus on the treaty aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

The European Union and other stakeholders, such as Pacific Island nations, argue that plastic production must be restricted. However, oil-producing countries, including Saudi Arabia, oppose such regulations. The US delegation has also shown reluctance to accept restrictions. Japan’s stance is ambiguous.

It is apparent that the earth has been choked by plastic wastes caused by human activities. Yet, it seems that the most major states do not likely to restrict plastic production and continue to accumulate plastic waste in oceans, rivers, and land causing habitat disruption for a vast number of species, from tiny plankton to large mammals. We know the problem but we do not know how to solve the problem.

Also, please refer to the following articles: Our Nature Has Been Threatened By Our Activities on July 18, 2025: https://yamanashietsuo.net/our-nature-has-been-threatened-by-our-activiies/ and Plastic Waste And Microplastics In The Ocean on July 7, 2023: https://yamanashietsuo.net/plastic-waste-and-microplastics-in-the-ocean/.

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6367.html; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sengen_shrine

https://www.shizuoka-tour.com/the-tourists-attractions/fujisan-hongu-sengen-shrine/

Wakutama Pond, Mount Fuji Head Sengen Shrine, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, 9/02/2025

Also, please visit the site of Mount Fuji Hongu Sengen Shrine on April 4, 2024 https://yamanashietsuo.net/mount-fuji-hongu-sengen-shrine/

Cedar Ball, Mount Fuji Head Sengen Shrine, Fujinomiya, Shizuoka, 9/02/2025

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugidama; https://en.sakeworld.jp/trivia/2411-nihonshu-sugitama/

An exhibition titled “Transition III — Monochrome Landscape of Mount Fuji and Its Foothills” (translated from the Japanese title) by Hideki Watanabe has been held at the Koichiro-Kondo Memorial Nanbu Town Museum of Art in the town of Nanbu in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan during August 3 through September 23, 2025.

(In Japanese) https://www.town.nanbu.yamanashi.jp/kakuka/arkadia-museum/news/files/BunkakanEvent202508_Info.pdf

Pieris rapae and Odonata by Hideki Watanabe, Koichiro-Kondo Memorial Nanbu Town Museum of Art, Nanbu, Yamanashi, 8/31/2025

Papilio protenor and Papilio dehaanii by Hideki Watanabe, Koichiro-Kondo Memorial Nanbu Town Museum of Art, Nanbu, Yamanashi, 8/31/2025

Mayflies by Hideki Watanabe, Koichiro-Kondo Memorial Nanbu Town Museum of Art, Nanbu, Yamanashi, 8/31/2025

An insect and Mount Fuji and Papilio xuthus on a Japanese snake gourd by Hideki Watanabe, Koichiro-Kondo Memorial Nanbu Town Museum of Art, Nanbu, Yamanashi, 8/31/2025

(In Japanese) https://www.yamanashi-kankou.jp/kankou/spot/p1_8030.html; https://www.town.nanbu.yamanashi.jp/

FYI

Katsushika Hokusai’s Thirty-Six Views of Mt.Fuji: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-six_Views_of_Mount_Fuji; https://www.ukiyoe-ota-muse.jp/hokusai-fugaku-eng/