Student rescued from Mount Fuji goes back for his phone and has to be rescued again The Chinese student was rescued twice in one week while on the Fujinomiya trail READ MORE: 14 students rushed to hospital in Japan after sharing spicy crisps By JOWENA RILEY Published: 17:16 BST, 28 April 2025 | Updated: 17:24 BST, 28 April 2025 A university student from China had to be rescued twice in four days while climbing Mount Fuji during the off-season - after he returned to the mountain peak to retrieve his mobile phone. The 27-year-old student, who lives in Tokyo, was first rescued by helicopter on 22 April while on the Fujinomiya trail, which sits about 3,000m (9,800ft) above sea level. He was unable to descend Japan's tallest peak after he lost his crampons, a spiked device that is attached to the bottom of climbing shoes for better traction. Despite being evacuated via helicopter, the student returned to Mount Fuji just four days later to collect belongings he'd left behind, including his phone. He was rescued for a second time from the 3,776m-tall mountain after he collapsed from altitude sickness near the 8th Station. According to Kyodo News, Shizuoka prefectural police said they received a call from another climber at around 12.50pm on 26 April informing them of the student's illness, resulting in him being brought back to the 5th station on a stretcher. Due to the risk of death or injury from harsh conditions on Mount Fuji, climbers are discouraged from hiking outside of the official climbing season, which traditionally begins from 1 July and stretches up to September. In recent years, the iconic mountain has seen a surge of tourists, with over 200,000 hikers attempting the summit annually. A university student from China had to be rescued twice in four days while climbing Mount Fuji during the off-season - after he returned to the mountain to collect his phone But the sudden surge of visitors has equally sparked concerns over pollution, overcrowding and disrespectful behaviour by tourists. In March, Japan announced it will introduce a ¥4,000 (£20) entry fee for all four main trails of Mount Fuji, set to begin this summer. The Yoshida Trail, in Yamanashi prefecture, was the only trail to previously charge a fee, priced at ¥2,000 (£10), as reported by The Independent. Now, visitors will be required to pay a charge to explore parts of Shizuoka prefecture - home to three of Mount Fuji's four main climbing trails: Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotemba. It comes after a giant 65ft barrier to block Mount Fuji from view was installed in a popular photo spot by Japanese authorities exasperated by crowds of badly behaved foreign tourists. Construction of the huge mesh net - 8 feet (2.5m) high and the length of a cricket pitch at 65ft (20m) - began in April 2024, an official from Fujikawaguchiko town confirmed. 'It's regrettable we have to do this, because of some tourists who can't respect rules,' leaving litter behind and ignoring traffic regulations, he said. It is the latest direct action in Japan against overtourism after residents of Kyoto's geisha district banned visitors from small private alleys in early 2024. The student was rescued for a second time from the 3,776m-tall mountain after he collapsed from altitude sickness near the 8th Station Record numbers of overseas tourists are travelling to the country, where monthly visitors exceeded three million in March 2024 for the first time ever. Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, can be photographed from many spots in the resort town of Fujikawaguchiko. But this viewpoint is particularly popular because the majestic volcano appears behind a Lawson convenience store, which are ubiquitous in Japan. Due to this visual juxtaposition, 'a reputation has spread on social media that this spot is very Japanese, making it a popular photo location,' said the town official who declined to be named. Share or comment on this article: Student rescued from Mount Fuji goes back for his phone and has to be rescued again Add comment