News US college student gone missing in Kyoto mountains

[thomas]

A 20-year-old American man travelling in Kyoto with his family has gone missing after leaving his hotel following an argument and separating from relatives, police said, as search efforts continued. The missing man was identified as Higginbotham James West, a U.S. citizen with long blond hair and blue eyes.

​

According to investigators, West left a hotel in Kyoto alone at around 6 p.m. on 29 May. About two hours later, several security cameras captured him walking in Kyoto's Yamashina Ward (山科区), apparently heading towards a mountainous area. Police said his location services were later turned off, making it more difficult to track his movements. His family reported him missing the following day and has since appealed publicly for information through social media and international news outlets as the search continues.

She explained that the family had been exchanging messages with West after he left the hotel, repeatedly asking where he was and what he was doing. She said his location-sharing service was later switched off, marking the last time the family was able to determine his whereabouts. Speaking to U.S. media, West's parents said the disappearance followed what they described as a minor family disagreement. "We had a small argument and decided to spend some time apart," his mother said, adding that the family had spent nearly a week sharing a small hotel room during their trip. West's father said he believes his son disabled the location service because family members were contacting him frequently. "I think he wanted some time alone," his father said. "For him, hiking trails and being out in nature are places where he feels calm."

Search Continues for American Tourist Who Vanished in Kyoto Mountains

A 20-year-old American man has been missing while traveling in Kyoto since leaving his hotel after an argument with his family and going his separate way, with his location services later turned off and security camera footage showing him heading toward a mountainous area as police continued...

newsonjapan.com

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/06/us/timeline-james-weston-higginbotham-missing-hnk

Days into the search for an Auburn University student missing in Japan, investigators believe it is highly probable that the 20-year-old left his family intentionally, but police remain concerned for his safety, Kyoto Prefectural Police told ABC News. James "Weston" Higginbotham, a junior at Auburn in Alabama, went missing on May 29 while in Kyoto on a trip with his family, police said. His parents reported him missing after he stopped responding to their messages and his phone location was turned off.

'Highly probable' that American missing in Japan left intentionally: Police

Days into the search for an Auburn University student missing in Japan, investigators believe it is highly probable that the 20-year-old left his family intentionally.

abcnews.com

I pray this story does not end like that of the German student who disappeared in Wakayama.

 

[Grandpa Frank]

News here said he was found dead , but no info on how he died?

 

[mdchachi]

News here said he was found dead , but no info on how he died?

No additional details in Japan either it seems. Sad.

 

[thomas]

News here said he was found dead , but no info on how he died?

While the circumstances remain unclear, there are indications that he may have taken his own life. Reports said he visited a hardware store before later heading towards a mountainous area at night. It was also reported that he had argued with his mother over her use of AI to plan their itinerary before they parted ways.

There was no mention on Japanese TV news tonight.

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/missing-us-student-found-dead-near-kyoto-japan-mother-says-2026-06-06/

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/06/us/james-weston-higginbotham-found-dead

​