Introduction to the Observatory
History of the Observatory
Relocation Map of the Observation Sites (Weather Observation Field) Created by modifying a Geographical Survey Institute Map (Geospatial Information Authority of Japan)
A: Original Observation Field: 1926-1961
B: Observation Field 1962-1985
C: Current Observation Field 1986-
Current Observation Site Location: 139°34.3' E, 35°43.0' N (WGS84)
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- 1925
- Observation field and Stevenson screens installed; experimental observations started by Tokichi Kato, teacher at Seikei High School, and his students
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- 1926
- Formal meteorological observations started by Kato and his students, with fixed-time observations made at 10:00 AM every day in accordance with surface meteorological observation methods
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- 1928
- Observations of cloud cover and humidity started
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- 1929
- Observations of atmospheric pressure and annual ice formation/frost started
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- 1931
- Observations of sunshine duration started
The meteorological observation field and Stevenson screens located south of the former Science Building. The Seikei University Main Building is visible in the background to the right. -
- 1939
- Ice thickness measurements started
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- 1942
- Observatory designated "Kichijoji Observatory", a Tokyo Regional Meteorological Observatory Class-A Auxiliary Observatory (a ward-level observatory)
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- 1953
- Time of fixed-time observations changed to 9:00 AM
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- 1959
- Seikei Meteorological Observatory established (originally Seikei Meteorological and Astronomical Observatory)
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- 1962
- New Seikei Junior and Senior High School buildings completed, and observation field relocated to north side of junior high school front yard
Stevenson screens at the observation field. Meteorological observations continued from the era of the seven-year high school. -
- 1963
- Visibility-day observations for “Tokyo Tower” and “Mt. Fuji” started
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- 1976
- Operation as Japan Meteorological Agency-commissioned ward-level observatory ended
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- 1986
- Observation field relocated to south side of Junior and Senior High School Special Building (current location)
Observation field and Stevenson screens viewed from the southeast -
- 1992
- Precipitation pH measurements started
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- 1994
- Automatic meteorological observation system installed (Ōta Keiki OTAC-2000)
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- 2002
- Rainfall electrical conductivity measurements started
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- 2015
- Black globe thermometer installed and Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measurements started
Automatic weather station data logger updated (Ota Kiki WL-2250 AWS Data Logger) -
- 2023
- Director Takehiko Mikami and Deputy Director Hiroharu Tanaka appointed