Weather by route

Mt. Fuji Trivia

Professionals tweets

What do you like about Mt. Fuji?

The incredibly rich biodiversity.

  • Director and Secretary General of the NPO Fujisan Nutcracker Association
  • Member of the Plant Section of the Shizuoka Prefecture Natural Environment Research Committee

Mr.Yukinobu Katsumata

Vegetation survey using a quadrat

How do you use Imafuji?

It's good to be able to check the weather before going to the site from the office at the foot of the mountain. Especially when doing a survey using a drone, the local wind information in graphs is very useful(Aerial view of the forest limits by the quadrat.

How would you describe Imafuji in one phrase?

Imafuji is reliable! We hope we can put good use in out NPO activities.

Sea of clouds below the 5th Station

Why is this important and necessary?

In the past, there were expressions like “Gotemba's private rain,” indicating that the weather in the Mount Fuji area and its foothills can vary significantly even within a small region. For instance, it might be misty rain at the base, but you could enjoy a breathtaking view above the clouds at the fifth station (a common rest stop on Mount Fuji's slopes). This phenomenon is likely due to the unique geographical features of Mount Fuji, standing alone, and the surrounding areas like Suruga Bay and nearby mountains, combined with wind patterns. There have been many instances during our surveys where we were caught in afternoon showers while descending from a sunny fifth station.

What would you like to say to the climbers?

Mount Fuji's true charm is not just about reaching the summit. If you also pay attention to the forests and the area where trees stop growing due to altitude, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the mountain's beauty.

Picture Gallery

What do you like about Mt. Fuji

The incredibly rich biodiversity.

What’s the best thing about Imafuji?

Imafuji is great because it consolidates real-time weather and temporal changes, providing comprehensive weather information.

Please tell us about any Mt. Fuji-related activities/projects you are currently involved in.

We are engaged in various activities such as natural environment surveys, installing and managing vegetation protection fences to protect forests from deer grazing pressure, setting up tree bark protection nets, organizing panel exhibitions, conducting environmental education, hosting observation meetings, and seminars as part of our awareness activities.

Is there something else you want to let the climbers know about Imafuji or Mt. Fuji?

Twenty years ago, during forest surveys, staff at the base would monitor weather information and relay updates via walkie-talkies to the survey teams, saying things like, “Rain clouds might roll in within 30 minutes.” Nowadays, smartphones have become indispensable tools for our surveys, serving as high-performance GPS devices, cameras, drone monitors, information sources (including “Imafuji”), lights, and more. Reflecting on the past when we would venture into the depths of the forest with a bit of apprehension while memorizing landmarks and trees, it's clear how much things have improved over time.

Mr.Yukinobu Katsumata

  • Director and Secretary General of the NPO Fujisan Nutcracker Association
  • Member of the Plant Section of the Shizuoka Prefecture Natural Environment Research Committee

PROFILE

  • Born in 1949
  • Videographer
  • Defense Home Newspaper Company (Web Director)
  • Head of Fuji Forest Club
  • Former Fujisan Club, Fujisan South Forest Survey Project Leader