Hiker dies after rescuing dog, sparking debate over pets on Japanese mountain trails

In May, a hiker and her dog entered the steep, single-file trail of Nishizawa Gorge, a popular 10-kilometre circuit near Tokyo. When the dog crossed a safety chain and plunged into a waterfall pool, the woman followed in an effort to save it and died. Police confirmed the incident and noted that local guides had long urged visitors to leave pets behind.

After the tragedy, the city tourism association posted a warning about the unpredictable dangers pets can pose, and Yamanashi Prefecture installed a notice at the gorge entrance urging caution, though it cannot impose a ban due to the area's national-park status. Meanwhile, other mountains such as Mt. Mitake in Ome have introduced measures—leash rules, dedicated pet areas on cable cars, and shrine blessings—to accommodate dogs safely. Shunji Takekawa of the Japan Mountain Guides Association stressed that hikers should respect local requests and avoid bringing pets to crowded or restricted sites, even where no formal rules exist.