Human Bones Found on Mt. Fuji; Shizuoka to Align Opening Dates with Yamanashi for 2026 Season

Human remains have been discovered on Mt. Fuji. Shizuoka Prefectural Police stated today that following a report from a hiker, a search led to the discovery of suspected human skeletal remains in the mountain area. Identification and cross-referencing with missing person reports are underway. All trails to the summit are currently closed for winter and will reopen starting in July. According to Shizuoka TV, a male hiker reported finding 'human bones' around 2:00 PM on the 26th. Police searched the area and found remains around 11:00 AM today at an elevation of approximately 2,300 meters southwest of the Subashiri 5th Station. The location is an unofficial trail between the Subashiri and Gotemba routes. No shoes or equipment were found nearby, only scraps of cloth suspected to be clothing. The gender and age are unknown. Preliminary investigations show no signs of foul play. On another note, Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki announced that the Subashiri route will open on July 1st, aligning with the Yoshida route in Yamanashi. The Fujinomiya and Gotemba routes will maintain a July 10th opening. This synchronization aims to prevent hikers from accidentally descending closed trails. The 4,000 yen entry fee and mandatory 'Mt. Fuji Test' will continue, and the 'Shizuoka FUJI NAVI' app will be upgraded with new navigation features starting May 8th.