Mount Fuji's Snowless Record: The Latest in 130 Years

For the first time in recorded history, Mount Fuji remains snowless as we approach late October, signaling notable climate changes affecting Japan.

 

In a striking development, Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak at 3,776 meters (12,460 feet), has not accumulated snow by the end of October for the latest time since records started in 1894. This year, the famed volcano, located southwest of Tokyo, was expected to see its first snow by early October, but warm weather conditions have led to a delay. The last recorded snow on Mount Fuji was seen on October 5, 2023, with temperatures during Japan's summer reaching their highest levels. From June to August, temperatures increased by an alarming 1.76°C (3.17°F) above the average, making it one of the hottest summers recorded.

The warm weather trend continued into September, attributed to the sub-tropical jet stream pushing warmer air into Japan. The Meteorological Society highlighted a staggering 1,500 regions that experienced "extremely hot" conditions, defined as days exceeding 35°C (95°F). With temperatures still above average in October, prospects for snowfall remain grim, marking an unprecedented delay in the buildup of snow at the summit.

Historically, the cut-off date for snowfall at Mount Fuji was October 26, with that date recorded twice, in 1955 and 2016. As forecaster Yutaka Katsuta noted, the lack of snow this October underscores significant changes in weather patterns that may affect tourism to this iconic mountain. Last year alone, over 220,000 visitors ascended Mount Fuji during the climbing season from July to September, making its snow-capped summit a sought-after destination in Japan's cultural fabric, often depicted in various traditional art forms. The mountain's last eruption occurred over 300 years ago, yet it remains a central icon within both local scenery and history.