Japan

A youngster gets help to catch some water dripping from the fountain at Kiyomizu Temple.

A young girl catches water at Kiyomizu Temple.

Getting closer to Rishiri-zan (mountian), 1719m.

Low bridge covered in vine on the way up Rishiri-zan.

With 1.8 Km still to go to the summit, we can only watch and press on as we see more clouds covering the top.

From the Kiyomizu Temple balcony across the gardens.

Young Japanese Maple along the pond in the garden at Heian Shrine.

This unique sand garden at Ginkakuji Temple includes this display of a sand cone called Kougetsudai representing Mt. Fuji, and the parallel lines in the sand called Ginsyadan representing the waves of the ocean.

Kannonden, a national treasure, preserved on the grounds of the Ginkakuji Temple grounds. The first floor is built in traditional Japanese style known as Shinkuuden. The second floor is built in traditional Chinese temple style is known as Chouonkaku.

The entrance to Heian Shrine and Gardens.

A decorated subway train in Kyoto.

The final stretch: the summit is just beyond visual range.

Heading back down fromt the summit of Rishiri-zan.

A Japanese tourist poses for another camera in front of the volcano crater. Looking west across the crater to the true summit.

The rising sun just peaks over a monument covered with offerings.

MT FUJI, JAPAN - From the west side of the crater rim, the morning sun casts the shadow of Mt. Fuji, revealing it's perfectly conical shape.

After viewing the sunrise, visitors go about their visit at the summit of Mt. Fuji.

A cloud far to the east casts a 'v'-shaped aerial shadow through the sky over Mt. Fuji.

The moon and Venus hover above the welcoming torii (gate) to the summit of Mt. Fuji before sunrise.

The drying process of the famous Rebun Seaweed. Rishiri-zan is faint in the distance.

A boat patiently waits for a chance to get back out to sea.

Fuji-san dominates the skyline behind this small shrine.

Outside of the mountain hut at 3,400m the sky is still dark and cold at 3am as we head out and make our final push up to the summit.

Many of these stone carvings sat at the summit of Mt. Missen.