The return of snow to Mount Fuji after an unprecedented gap raises environmental concerns and reflections on cultural significance.
Mount Fuji's Snowless Streak Ends After 130 Years
Mount Fuji's Snowless Streak Ends After 130 Years
After the longest snowless period ever recorded, Japan's iconic mountain finally sees snowfall.
Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain and a national icon, finally received a dusting of snow, marking the end of its longest snowless stretch in 130 years. Records indicate that while the snow typically begins to accumulate in early October, this year saw the peak remain bare until early November. The first snowfall was reported early Wednesday morning, bringing relief and surprise to many locals.
Mount Fuji's revered status is bolstered by its snow-covered peak, often depicted in art, literature, and marketing campaigns, and is seen as a symbol of enduring beauty. The unusual lack of snow has caused anxiety among residents and officials alike. “This is the first time we haven’t seen snow on the mountain in November,” noted Takefumi Sakaki, an official from Fujiyoshida City, expressing the collective unease felt by the community.
Standing at 12,389 feet, Mount Fuji is an active volcano, typically visible with a snowy cap except for the few months of summer when climbers can ascend its slopes. The significance of this recent event is twofold: it highlights both the potential impacts of climate change and the deep-rooted cultural resonance that Mount Fuji holds for the Japanese people.
Mount Fuji's revered status is bolstered by its snow-covered peak, often depicted in art, literature, and marketing campaigns, and is seen as a symbol of enduring beauty. The unusual lack of snow has caused anxiety among residents and officials alike. “This is the first time we haven’t seen snow on the mountain in November,” noted Takefumi Sakaki, an official from Fujiyoshida City, expressing the collective unease felt by the community.
Standing at 12,389 feet, Mount Fuji is an active volcano, typically visible with a snowy cap except for the few months of summer when climbers can ascend its slopes. The significance of this recent event is twofold: it highlights both the potential impacts of climate change and the deep-rooted cultural resonance that Mount Fuji holds for the Japanese people.
