Bishamon-do in Yamashina, Kyoto.
Near Chionin, Kyoto
The view from Kiyomizudera, Kyoto. I managed to sneak in here early on a thursday morning rather than friday (public holiday) and compete only with crowds of school children rather than much larger hordes of tourists and loudspeaker toting traffic police.
View from Kiyomizudera, Kyoto.
Looking out from the top of Mt. Tsukuba, another item on the list of "Japan's 100 famous mountains," easily accessible from Tokyo, and probably the easiest one to climb.
The slope leading up to Mt. Fuji was all sorts of shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Beautifully clear skies, a rarity in this area.
Shot from Lake Kawaguchi where rows of maple trees bring in hoards of tourists in November.
View from the tenboudai, a short trail up to a small hut with a panoramic view of the region.
Lake Kawaguchi.
Couldn't help but snap a shot of this tired 'family'
Maple leaves next to Lake Kawaguchi.
An onlooker at Lake Kawaguchi. (and an ugly smudge on the lens at the top-left that i unfortunately didn't notice in time...)
Rows of maple trees next to Lake Kawaguchi.
View from the top of Mt. Yakedake, an active volcano in Kamikochi.
View from the famous kappabashi in Kamikochi.
Mist coming over the ridge near Yakedake.
Taken while climbing up Mt. Asama, Honshu's most active volcano.
Taken while climbing up Mt. Asama, Honshu's most active volcano. I thought this rock formation looked like a robed monk.
Painters enjoying the view at Kamikochi.
View from Yakedake.
At Tomita flower Farm in Furano, Hokkaido.
The rolling landscapes of Biei, Hokkaido. Certainly not your typical Japan.
Biei, Hokkaido.
Hot spring source at Noboribetsu, Hokkaido.
Musical presentation at the Ainu museum in Shiraoi, Hokkaido.
The port city of Hakodate. Only had a couple hours to wander around, but it felt like a smaller version of Kobe.
Swans at Toya Lake, taken from the door of my tent.
