Japan’s breathtaking, yet treacherous, mountains of Nagano Prefecture experienced an alarming surge in rescue operations in 2024, with a record 321 individuals requiring help, including 13 who tragically lost their lives or were reported missing while hiking or skiing. This figure surpasses the previous year’s record of 302 rescues and underscores a troubling trend in outdoor safety.
Experts point to a tendency among hikers and skiers to overestimate their abilities, while simultaneously underestimating the challenges presented by the terrain and the unpredictable weather in the Japanese Alps.