Mount Fuji in Japan finally received its iconic snowcap on Wednesday, marking the most-delayed snowfall in over a century. This year’s first snowfall, visible from the southwestern side of the mountain, arrived more than a month later than usual, setting a new record according to the Shizuoka branch of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). However, confirmation of the snowfall has yet to be officially announced by the JMA’s Kofu Local Meteorological Office, which has faced visibility issues due to persistent cloudy weather on their side of the mountain.
Typically, the summit of Mount Fuji, which stands at 3,776 meters (nearly 12,300 feet), begins to receive snow by October 2, about a month after the summer hiking season concludes. Last year, snow had already capped the mountain by October 5. The absence of snow this year had already shattered the previous record set on October 26, 2016.
The unusually late snowfall caught the attention of many on social media, where users shared photos of the bare summit, expressing both surprise and concern over potential climate implications. The JMA’s Kofu office attributed the delay to October’s unexpectedly warm weather, with temperatures remaining higher than average across Japan.
“Many people are waiting to see the snowcap and we’ve received many inquiries recently,” said JMA official Kiryu. He explained that thick cloud cover around the mountaintop has hindered the visibility necessary to confirm the snowfall, despite the continued efforts by officials to monitor the situation. Kiryu also emphasized that it is premature to directly link this anomaly to global warming, as more extensive data would be needed to draw such conclusions.
Historically, the average temperature at Mount Fuji’s summit in October is minus 2 degrees Celsius (28.4 degrees Fahrenheit). This year, however, it was recorded at 1.6 degrees Celsius (34.9 degrees Fahrenheit), the highest since records began in 1932. The unusually hot summer and warm autumn experienced across Japan this year have been notable contributors to this aberration.
Mount Fuji, also known as “Fujisan,” holds deep cultural significance as a symbol of Japan. It was once a revered site of pilgrimage and has been immortalized in various art forms, such as the renowned ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” Today, the mountain attracts hikers eager to witness the sunrise from its peak, despite growing issues with overcrowding and environmental degradation. The influx of visitors has raised concerns about waste and the need for stricter measures to protect the iconic landmark from overtourism.
