‘Wait here...’ 7-year-old left alone at 2,490 metres on Mount Fuji by father during hike

A seven-year-old boy was left alone on Mount Fuji after his father reportedly told him to “wait here” and continued toward the summit with his older son, according to Japanese media reports.

The incident occurred early Thursday on the Fujinomiya Trail, where the 48-year-old father was hiking with his two sons, a first-grade student from Nagoya and his older son, a first-year middle school student.

When the family reached the sixth station, located at an altitude of about 2,490 metres, the younger boy reportedly said he was tired.

The father allegedly told him to wait at the spot while he continued climbing with his older son instead of turning back or stopping the hike.

At around 7:40 a.m., a worker noticed the boy sitting alone on a bench near the sixth station. Rain was falling, and fog was beginning to gather. The worker brought the child inside a nearby shelter and contacted police.

Police subsequently located the father, who was reportedly near the eighth station. Officers instructed him to abandon the climb and return to his younger son. The boy was unharmed and was eventually reunited with his father.

Police reportedly told the father that leaving a young child alone on the mountain was unacceptable, even if it meant giving up the climb. The father expressed remorse over the incident, saying he had made a rash decision and deeply regretted it.

Why Mount Fuji can be dangerous

Although Mount Fuji is one of Japan’s most popular hiking destinations, climbing the 3,776-metre peak can be physically demanding and potentially hazardous. Weather conditions can change quickly, with rain, fog, strong winds and cold temperatures posing risks even during the official climbing season. The high altitude can also cause altitude sickness, while fatigue, steep terrain and poor visibility can increase the chances of accidents. For young children, these risks can be especially serious, making supervision and proper preparation essential. Two climbers have reportedly died during the 2026 climbing season, including a Swiss man who lost consciousness while ascending the mountain. Authorities continue to warn that the mountain, which rises to 3,776 metres, can present serious risks from altitude, rapidly changing weather, fatigue and difficult terrain.