What are the Odds I'll See Snowcap on Mt. Fuji in early/mid November?
Oct 17th, 2013, 04:38 PM
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What are the Odds I'll See Snowcap on Mt. Fuji in early/mid November?
So I leave for Japan in 2 1/2 weeks and am very excited. One of the things I am most excited to see is Mt. Fuji. There are 3 things I've seen on my travels thus far that I know made my jaw drop in amazement at first sight: the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Pisa, and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I have admired beautiful pictures of Mt. Fuji for several decades and am anticipating this will be the 4th.
Now I know that Mt. Fuji is an elusive creature and I should consider myself lucky if I see even a glimpse of it. I am hoping that by choosing November for my travels (primarily to see the beautiful fall colors all around Honshu) that my chances for clear weather increase vs. the summer. My 3 locales for potentially seeing Fuji are from a Tokyo skyscraper, from the Shinkansen on my way back to Tokyo from Hiroshima, and my best bet from my two days spent touring Hakone.
Now here is my question. Not only do I want to see Fuji but I am greedy and so want to see it with a snow cap. I will be in Tokyo on November 7-9, in Hakone on Nov. 10 and 11, and then traveling back from Hiroshima to Tokyo via Shinkansen on Nov. 20. What are the odds that I'll have generally clear views of Fuji during those times and also, what are the odds there will be snow cap on the mountain? I just viewed a fall colors trip report from Fujisan on japanguide.com and as of Oct. 14, the mountain summit looked completely snowless.
Now I know that Mt. Fuji is an elusive creature and I should consider myself lucky if I see even a glimpse of it. I am hoping that by choosing November for my travels (primarily to see the beautiful fall colors all around Honshu) that my chances for clear weather increase vs. the summer. My 3 locales for potentially seeing Fuji are from a Tokyo skyscraper, from the Shinkansen on my way back to Tokyo from Hiroshima, and my best bet from my two days spent touring Hakone.
Now here is my question. Not only do I want to see Fuji but I am greedy and so want to see it with a snow cap. I will be in Tokyo on November 7-9, in Hakone on Nov. 10 and 11, and then traveling back from Hiroshima to Tokyo via Shinkansen on Nov. 20. What are the odds that I'll have generally clear views of Fuji during those times and also, what are the odds there will be snow cap on the mountain? I just viewed a fall colors trip report from Fujisan on japanguide.com and as of Oct. 14, the mountain summit looked completely snowless.
Oct 17th, 2013, 04:47 PM
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Sorry everyone, I didn't mean to post that twice. I previewed my first topic but couldn't figure out how to correct a few typos, so copy/pasted into a new topic and, voila, it's posted twice! At any rate, perhaps you could reply on this topic so we keep the discussion on one thread.
Oct 17th, 2013, 06:52 PM
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I'd say the odds are high that it will be snow-cacpped in November. I've seen it from a plane a number of times in November, and it always had snow. Of course, that is no guarantee.
There is no snow on the mountain during climbing season, July/August and likely into Sept/Oct.
There is no snow on the mountain during climbing season, July/August and likely into Sept/Oct.
Oct 18th, 2013, 06:53 AM
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Weather should be clear in the mornings and early evenings. Actually the best time of the year to catch a glimpse of Fujisan from Tokyo or anywhere else in Japan for that matter.
If you take a look at my trip report done in the fall of 2011 titled Kyushu Honshu you will see a link to my photo album. In the first 40 pictures or so you will see shots of Fujisan I took from a Shinkansen on our way to Nagasaki. The date was around Nov 12 or 13 or so iirc. You will see the start of her white crown that I have seen extend almost 2/3 the way down the mtn by March. You must getting excited I know I am lol
Aloha!
If you take a look at my trip report done in the fall of 2011 titled Kyushu Honshu you will see a link to my photo album. In the first 40 pictures or so you will see shots of Fujisan I took from a Shinkansen on our way to Nagasaki. The date was around Nov 12 or 13 or so iirc. You will see the start of her white crown that I have seen extend almost 2/3 the way down the mtn by March. You must getting excited I know I am lol
Aloha!
Oct 19th, 2013, 07:17 AM
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Thank you HT. Will definitely take a look at your trip report and photos. Glad to hear Nov. is the best time of year to view Fuji san from Tokyo. Really want to have some snow on top of it though for full impact.
