(Gray News) – A 7-year-old boy was left alone on Mount Fuji by his father and brother, who continued their hike to the summit, according to several reports.
The boy was found unharmed at about 7:40 a.m. local time on Aug. 20 by a worker at a mountain hut, according to Japanese news outlet FNN, which cited local police. The worker called police and told them he had found the boy sitting by himself on a bench at the sixth station of the mountain’s Fujinomiya Trail.
According to Japan Today, the boy, his older brother and his 48-year-old father had started the trail earlier that morning, intending to reach Mount Fuji’s peak. Around the sixth station, the boy began to complain that he was tired. Japan Today reported the man told the child to “wait here” and left him at the sixth station to continue the hike.
FILE: Mount Fuji is seen from Gotemba, southwest of Tokyo, Wednesday, May 20, 2026.(Hiro Komae | AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
It is believed the boy was left at the station, which sits about 8,202 feet above sea level, at about 4:30 a.m.
Based on the estimated hiking times found on Mount Fuji’s official climbing page, it takes about 5 1/2 hours to reach the summit from the sixth station and another 2 1/2 hours to return, meaning the boy could have been left alone at the station for more than 7 hours if the worker didn’t spot him.
ABC 45 reported rain and fog were developing at the time the boy was found.
After police were contacted, officers were able to identify his father and find him near the trail’s eighth station. FNN reported authorities gave the man a warning and ordered him to go back for his son.
Japan Today reported the father said he “made a rash decision” and regretted it.
Police cautioned visitors not to leave members of their party behind when hiking Mount Fuji. About 20,000 people visit the popular tourist destination every year, according to People.
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