Fuji's Summit: A Photographer's Home and Warning Post

Japanese photographer Megumi Ueda has spent the past 17 years working and living at a Shinto shrine near the summit of Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak. From her unique vantage point at 3,776 meters, she captures breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, while also serving as a crucial source of information for climbers. Her work extends beyond aesthetics, as she meticulously documents the mountain's extreme and rapidly changing weather patterns.

Ueda's documentation highlights the severe impact of climate change on Mount Fuji. In 2024, the summit experienced its longest period without snow on record, delaying the typical early October snowfall until November. She diligently measures and shares real-time temperature and wind speed data online, accompanied by visual evidence, to convey the inherent risks more effectively than statistics alone.

Each climbing season, over 200,000 people ascend Mount Fuji. Ueda, trained in wilderness first aid, has assisted in numerous rescues, encountering climbers suffering from hypothermia or injuries. She aims for her continuous updates, filling a void where webcams are absent, to raise awareness and promote safety. Her commitment lies in ensuring climbers can safely experience the mountain's beauty and return home unharmed, a mission she continues each climbing season.