Japan’s beloved Mount Fuji has finally received its first snowfall of the season, marking the end of a historic delay. Typically dusted in white by early October, this year saw snowfall almost a month late, breaking a 130-year record. The delay comes on the heels of one of Japan’s hottest summers, and so the arrival of snow was greeted with excitement, with locals celebrating and sharing photos of the newly snow-capped peak.
The snow was first spotted on November 6 by the Japan Meteorological Agency’s branch in Shizuoka. However, due to cloud cover, the Kofu office couldn’t confirm the sighting until the next day when the skies cleared. This marks the most extended wait for Mount Fuji’s snow in recorded history, surpassing previous records from just last year, October 5, and October 26 in 1955 and 2016.
Mount Fuji holds deep cultural significance in Japan. Towering at about 3,776 meters (12,389 feet), this dormant volcano has long captured the imagination of artists, poets, and travellers. Its symmetrical, cone-shaped peak makes it one of Japan’s most recognisable symbols and a favourite subject in traditional Japanese art.
Today, it’s a magnet for tourists seeking spiritual connection and the perfect photograph, especially when it’s cloaked in snow. This year, after a long wait, the first sight of Fuji’s snowy crown is significant, symbolising the timeless allure of Japan’s highest peak.
Historically, Mount Fuji has been central to Japanese spirituality and folklore. In the Shinto and Buddhist traditions, Fuji is revered as a sacred mountain, and many pilgrims climb to its summit to pay homage. Over the years, climbing the mountain has become a popular endeavour for spiritual seekers, nature enthusiasts, and tourists. Every summer, during the official climbing season from early July to early September, tens of thousands of people from Japan and abroad trek up its slopes to witness the breathtaking sunrise from the top, an experience called “Goraiko” (the coming of light).
(With inputs from multiple reports)