This aerial view shows Mt. Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain, seen from the Yamanashi prefectural side.
With November just days away, Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji remains snow-free, setting a new record for the latest date without a snowcap since observations began 130 years ago.
Typically, the summit of Japan’s highest peak sees its first snowfall by early October, but as of this Tuesday, the mountain remains bare. This unusual delay has sparked concern over the visible impacts of climate change on one of Japan’s most cherished landmarks.
Mount Fuji’s first snowfall traditionally signals winter’s arrival, following the close of the summer climbing season on September 10. On average, snowcaps form on Fuji by October 2, and last year they appeared on October 5, though unusually warm temperatures melted much of it by early November.
Japan’s Kofu Local Meteorological Office, which has documented the first snowfall on Fuji each year since its founding in 1894, has yet to do so this season, citing prolonged warm weather. “High temperatures in Japan have continued since summer, and rainfall has also contributed to the lack of snow,” Shinichi Yanagi, a meteorological officer at Kofu, explained.
As of October 29, this delay surpasses the previous record of October 26, set in 1955 and again in 2016. Japan experienced its hottest summer on record this year, according to the Meteorological Agency, adding to growing concerns over the climate crisis’ impact on the nation’s natural treasures.
This aerial view shows climbers lining up to take a photo on the Kengamine summit of Mount Fuji.
The average temperature in Japan from June to August was 1.76 degrees Celsius above the usual level, exceeding the previous record of 1.08 degrees set in 2010, according to the Meteorological Agency.
Unseasonably warm conditions extended into fall, with at least 74 cities across Japan seeing temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher during the first week of October, reported Climate Central, a non-profit research group. Climate Central’s analysis also revealed that October’s intense heat in Japan was three times more likely due to the effects of the climate crisis.
Japan’s extreme summer heat was part of a global pattern. This summer broke worldwide heat records for the second consecutive year, placing 2024 on track to become the hottest year ever recorded.The natural climate phenomenon El Niño has contributed to the recent temperature spike, alongside human activities such as fossil fuel burning—the primary driver of the climate crisis.
Scientists have long cautioned that limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is critical to avoiding the most severe impacts of climate change. A study published in January found that climate change has reduced snowpack across much of the Northern Hemisphere over the past 40 years.
Mount Fuji’s delayed snowfall may be a concerning signal of what lies ahead, as warmer winters increasingly impact snow levels, tourism, local economies, food and water supplies, and even allergies.
Mount Fuji, straddling Japan’s Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures, stands at 3,776 meters and holds UNESCO World Heritage status as a symbol of Japan. Traditionally snow-capped for most of the year, the mountain opens for climbing in July, drawing millions of visitors eager to reach its summit or witness the sunrise from its iconic slopes.
In recent years, however, Fuji has grappled with overtourism, with officials noting issues like littering, overtaxed facilities, and safety concerns due to improper hiking gear. To manage the influx, authorities introduced a tourist tax and regulations in July, requiring climbers to pay 2,000 yen ($12.40) per person, capped at 4,000 climbers per day.
