In Pics: Tokyo Wakes up to Snow in Nov for First Time in 54 Years

A visitor takes a photo in the snow at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura, near Tokyo. (Photo: AP)

Tokyo residents woke up Thursday to the first November snowfall in more than 50 years. And the Japan Meteorological Agency said it was the first time fallen snow on the ground was observed in November since such records started to be taken in 1875.

An unusually cold air mass brought wet snow to Japan's capital. Above-freezing temperatures kept the snow from sticking in most places, though it did accumulate on sidewalks and cars in Tokyo's far western suburbs.

A visitor takes a photo in the snow at the Hase temple in Kamakura, near Tokyo. (Photo: AP)

Meteorologists forecast up to 2 centimetres (1 inch) would fall, and more in the mountains northwest of Tokyo.

The Great Buddha statue is covered with snow at Kotoku-in temple in Kamakura, near Tokyo (Photo: AP)

The snow caused minor train delays during the morning commute.

The last time it snowed in central Tokyo in November was 1962.

Japan’s Self-defense force army soldiers clear snow on a snow sculpture celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Tokyo Disney Resort at the snow festival in Sapporo. (Photo: Reuters)

Prior to Thursday, the earliest time that snow had accumulated on the ground in the winter season was on 6 December 1987, according to the agency.

Visitors walk in the snow at Hase temple in Kamakura, near Tokyo. (Photo: AP)

The agency monitors various esoteric weather indicators, Japanese-style, such as announcing when cherry blossoms have started to bloom by observing a certain tree.

People walk in the snow at the Kenchoji temple in Kamakura, near Tokyo (Photo: AP) 

The benchmark "sakura" tree for Tokyo grows in Yasukuni Shrine, which has drawn controversy because it honors all Japanese soldiers who died in war, including war criminals.

A man walks in the snow in Tokyo. (Photo: AP)

The first snowfall is "hatsuyuki," which literally translated to "first snow." Snow on the ground is called "sekisetsu," and declared when more than half a designated area in Tokyo, called Kitanomaru, turns white, the agency said.

Shrine maiden walks in the snow at the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura  (Photo: AP)

Japanese culture is especially sensitive to the changing seasons. Haiku, for instance, must include words that denote spring, summer, fall or winter.

A man walks in the snow in Tokyo. (Photo: AP)