From Japan Inside: Japan just turned away climbers at Mt. Fuji — and it doesn't care how far you flew. Mt. Fuji's opening weekend descended into chaos, with gate staff on the Yoshida Trail locked in shouting matches with tourists they refused to let through. A group from China showed up with rain jackets but no rain pants. Refused. They were pointed to the shop at the fifth station, bought the pants, came back — and only then were they let through. This is Japan's second year enforcing its ban on lightweight climbing, and the checks are stricter than ever. The gate also hard-closes at 2 PM for anyone without a mountain hut reservation. One tourist from India arrived just minutes past the deadline — with a flight home at 10 the next morning. The staff's answer: wait until the gate reopens at 3 AM. He did the math and gave up without taking a single step. Every season, unprepared climbers in t-shirts and sneakers trigger rescues on this mountain. Japan decided it was done asking nicely. No proper gear, no entry. No exceptions, no arguing.