On May 29, 20-year-old James “Weston” Higginbottom got off a train at Yamashina station in Kyoto and vanished. The Auburn University student was on a family vacation in Japan, with the trip to celebrate their 18-year-old son’s graduation.
Higginbottom is 6’1″, with long blonde hair and blue eyes, and was last seen wearing a white t-shirt with “Save the Bees” on the back and lavender corduroy pants, and with a shoulder bag with the state of Alabama on it.
His mom, Nancy Higginbottom, took to Facebook to deliver a heartfelt message: “we are in our own living hell”, and underlining that “He is not detained from a nght [sic] out partying. The police have confirmed this. Please, I beg you, be kind. I’m already in so much pain.”
Japanese cops spotted him on video leaving a train at Yamashina, though it’s unclear whether he boarded the train again or left the station. As he’s an experienced hiker, it’s theorized that he headed onto a hiking trail. But searches, both via air and on foot, have begun in earnest.
In the latest update, Nancy explained that she and her husband have been unsuccessfully searching the woods, but “didn’t get too far”:
“He may have intentionally chosen a quiet trail from Yamashina, especially Bishamon-do, Lake Biwa Canal, Misasagi, Keage/Nanzen-ji, Kyoto Trail, Mount Otowa, or Daigo/Kami-Daigo. I know there is a typhoon currently hitting, but I will be there today searching the woods today.
My husband and I went last night with flashlights and headlamps and didn’t get too far because we weren’t prepared for the wildlife we encountered. If anyone wants to join us after the storm, I would be grateful.”
Does Japan have dangerous wildlife?
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, though its forested areas are home to potentially deadly wildlife. For example, bear sightings around Kyoto have increased over recent years, with locals warning tourists to carry “bear bells” to ensure you don’t surprise them while hiking:
The Kyoto region is also home to wild boars, venomous snakes, and macaque monkeys. However, attacks on humans are rare, and fatalities are even rarer.
The search continues, with Nancy underlining that the family “will not lose hope” and that they “feel all of the love that you are pouring out throughout the day”. She said:
“I want to thank the Japanese government and police, the FBI, US Embassy, our Alabama government, the wonderful Japanese volunteers, and our friends that have gone above and beyond for their support today as I know the amount of resources they are pouring into finding our son is immense.”
She and her husband conclude: “We’re confident we’re going to find him.”
Published: Jun 4, 2026 10:48 am