Mount Fuji Climber Rescued Twice After Returning for Lost Phone

The student was climbing outside the official July-to-September season.

Tokyo — A 27-year-old Chinese student living in Japan was rescued–twice–from Mount Fuji within four days after returning to the mountain to retrieve his lost mobile phone.

The first rescue occurred on Tuesday, April 22, when the climber, ascending the Fujinomiya trail at around 3,000 meters (9,800 feet), lost his crampons and was unable to descend. Authorities airlifted him to safety after he became ill, likely due to altitude sickness.

Despite warnings against climbing outside the official July-to-September season, the student returned on Saturday, April 26, to recover belongings, including his phone. He was again rescued after suffering altitude sickness, with another climber alerting authorities to his condition. He was found at the 8th station and brought down on a stretcher, later handed over to emergency services.

Officials strongly discourage climbing Mount Fuji outside the designated
season due to unpredictable weather, closed trails, and unavailable
medical facilities, which increase risks for climbers and rescuers alike. 

The incident has sparked criticism online, with some suggesting the climber should bear the cost of both rescue operations.  Authorities in Shizuoka prefecture reiterated their advice against off-season climbs, emphasizing the dangers and the strain such incidents place on rescue resources.

Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest peak at 3,776 meters (12,388 feet), attracts over 200,000 climbers each season. In response to overtourism and safety concerns, new regulations for 2025 include a daily cap on climbers and a permit fee.

Mount Fuji Climber Rescued Twice After Returning for Lost Phone (April 28, 2025)

#MountFuji #Rescue #JapanNews #ClimbingSafety #OffSeasonClimbing #MountainRescue #TravelJapan #AdventureSafety #TourismJapan

Tags: Mount Fuji, Japan, climbing, rescue, off-season, safety, tourism, Shizuoka, altitude sickness, overtourism