Late Snow On Japan's Mount Fuji Breaks 130 Years Record, Stunning Visuals Emerge

Tokyo: Mount Fuji in Japan's Shizouka received its iconic snowcap early Wednesday, over a month later than usual, setting a 130-year record for most-delayed snowfall.

According to Shizuoka branch of Japan Meteorological Agency, first snowfall on Mt. Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was visible from mountain's southwestern side.

Meteorological officials said absence of snow on Mt. Fuji on Tuesday broke previous record set on October 26, 2016.

Usually, Mt. Fuji starts to see snow on its summit around October 2, about a month after hiking season ends. Last year, snow fell on October 5, according to JMA.

Snowless Mt. Fuji has sparked attention on social media, with people sharing photos of bare mountain. Some expressed surprise, while ors raised concerns about climate change.

A photo of Mt. Fuji was shared  on X by a user, photo captured from flight shows re is no show on summit.

JMA's Kofu office attributed lack of snow on Mt. Fuji to October's unexpectedly warm wear. Temperatures this year have been higher across Japan, including at Mt. Fuji.

“Many people are waiting to see snowcap and we’ve received many inquiries recently,” Kiryu said. He ded that clouds around mountaintop have blocked view since Wednesday morning, delaying confirmation of snowcap, but officials are continuing to try to get a peak at first snowfall.

Kiryu said it is too early to attribute this year’s late snowcap to global warming, pointing out that Mt. Fuji's first snow last year also fell in early October. He ded, “I think we need to examine data for a longer period of time to make any conclusion.”

A symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji, or "Fujisan," was once a site of pilgrimage. Its snow-capped peak and nearly symmetrical slopes have inspired countless works of art, including Katsushika Hokusai’s famous Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.

Some Facts about Mt. Fuji

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak, stands at 12,388 feet (3,776 meters) on Pacific Ocean coast, strdling Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures in central Honshu, about 60 miles (100 km) west of Tokyo-Yokohama area. 

It has been dormant since its last eruption in 1707, it is still considered an active volcano by geologists.

A symbol of Japan, Mt. Fuji, or "Fujisan," was once a site of pilgrimage. Its snow-capped peak and nearly symmetrical slopes have inspired countless works of art, including Katsushika Hokusai’s famous *Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji*.

Today, Mt. Fuji attracts hikers who climb to summit to watch sunrise. However, concerns over environmental impact have grown due to litter left behind and overcrowding, prompting calls for better environmental protection and measures to manage overtourism.

Jun Kubota, a wear forecaster and climber from Yamanashi, one of two prefectures that Mt. Fuji strdles, expressed concern that this year’s delayed snowfall could be part of a broer trend.

“I wonder if season we can enjoy snow is getting shorter, not just at Mt. Fuji but also on or mountains in central Japan or on Hokkaido,” Kubota said in a Zoom call.

He highlighted reports of snow shortage on ski slopes in recent years. “I’m afraid re could be an impact not only on snow mountain climbing, but also winter sports in general.”