Photographer Megumi Ueda Spends Two Months Each Year Living Atop Mount Fuji

Every year, Megumi Ueda, a dedicated photographer, spends two months living in a Shinto shrine located on Mount Fuji during the climbing season. She refers to her minimalistic accommodations as her "suite room," featuring a hardwood bed and a sleeping bag. Ueda expressed to the Associated Press that she regards it as "the best bedroom on Mount Fuji." In addition to her photography, she gathers weather information, especially in the turbulent winds above the clouds. She remarked on the complexity of mountain weather, suggesting that even meteorologists find it challenging to forecast. Ueda encourages climbers to monitor conditions on her Mount Fuji weather report website and to retreat if circumstances deteriorate. Her Instagram (@mushphoto) showcases her captivating images of sunsets, hazy peaks, and star trails. She is driven by a desire to witness every possible view from the mountain, to the point of not wanting to blink. The Associated Press shared her story, which PetaPixel published on September 22, 2026.