Nestled at altitude of 1,641.4 m (5,385.17 ft), this highland meadow in Nagano Prefecture bursts forth with Amur daylilies, bistort blossoms, and crimson-purple plume thistles.

Jumonji-Toge Pass, a highland field in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Located in Nagano Prefecture, approximately 173 km (108 mi) northwest of Tokyo, Mt. Meshimori  is a captivating, small conical peak reaching a height of 1,643 m (approx. 5,390 ft).

Situated between the summits of Mt. Meshimori and Mt. Omori lies the picturesque Jumonji-Toge Pass, a lush highland expanse in Nagano Prefecture, Japan.

Kiyosato Lake (æ¸…é‡Œæ¹–ãƒ»Kiyosato-ko) in Yamanashi Prefecture stands out among the numerous reservoirs I have visited in the Kanto Plain. Initially, I found some of the embankmentâ€™s appearance somewhat unattractive, but little did I know that there was a fascinating reason behind its unique design.

During the autumn season, Kiyosato Lake becomes a favored spot as the foliage transforms into vibrant hues, creating a stunning display of colors.

Shimoda Park features numerous well-paved areas and staircases designed to accommodate visitors with varying fitness levels.

Shimoda, which located within an approximate 3-hour drive from Tokyo or approximate 3 hours by train, boasts a picturesque seascape adorned with a captivating blend of white sandy beaches, vibrant blue ocean waves, and verdant lush coastal mountainscapes. This coastal paradise serves as the closest tropical resort to the bustling metropolis.

Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, also known as â€œinodeâ€ in Japanese). This beautiful fern is native to Japan and South Korea, and it thrives in moist, well-drained soil under the dappled shade of evergreen trees.

Shimoda, a city known for its unique architectural style called Namako-Kabe, showcases several traditional structures, including the distinctive house with captivating black walls adorned by a raised white diamond pattern. These walls serve as a testament to the innovative techniques employed to provide structures  with a greater degree of weatherproofing and fire resistance.

Although I visited in early June, exploring the park during mid-June would promise a more stunning display of hydrangeas, bursting with vibrant colors and adding an explosive touch of color to the surroundings.

Legend has it that Perry himself walked along the pathway that winds alongside this canal, leading to the Ryosenji Temple. It was within these hallowed grounds that the momentous Treaty of Peace and Amity between the U.S. Government and the Japanese Tokugawa shogunate was inked back in 1854.

Nestled alongside Perry Road, in this charming district of Shimoda in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, a scenic canal flows peacefully, accompanied by vibrant hydrangea blossoms. This beautiful sight provides a striking contrast to the overcast skies that often accompany the country's rainy season.

The Kami-no-Michi, also known as the Path of the Gods, is a relaxing 500-meter boardwalk that connects Miho Shrine to the beautiful Miho-no-Matsubara pine grove, located on the water's edge of the Miho Peninsula.

As I gaze upon the majestic mountain, I am struck by the juxtaposition of man-made structures that have contributed to the destruction of the once white sands of this particular beach. It's a stark reminder of the impact humans have on the environment, and how our actions can last for centuries to come.

Location No. 8, featured on maps available at the Miho-no- Matsubara Culture & Creativity Center and other maps located throughout the park, offers a prime opportunity to capture a breathtaking view of Mt. Fuji alongside the majestic pine trees.

The Miho Lighthouse was constructed 1912 using reinforced concrete making it the oldest lighthouse in Japan remaining in its original form where many other older lighthouses made of inferior materials were destroyed in either earthquakes or typhoons.

My border collie, captured here frolicking on the black sandy beach of Miho-no-Matsubara on the Miho Peninsula, is an energetic girl, always eager to chase after the incoming waves and bark at the foamy residue that lingers as the waves recede back into the ocean.

A powerful spectacle of many large pine trees that instead of growing straight up into the sky as you might see in the mountains, the trunks and branches of these trees twist outwards nearly parallel with the ground and then suddenly twist back or suddenly stretch upwards toward the sky.

Family on Miho-no-Matsubara Beach on the Miho Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, while container ship sails into Shimizu Port through Suruga Bay.

Miho Shrine boasts a sacred dance stage known as a maidono. This stage is utilized annually during one of the shrine's most significant festivals held on November 1st.

Yamashita Park, a cherished sanctuary from the urban sprawl of Tokyo and Yokohama, was constructed on the former waterfront using rubble of the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

The peak of Mt. Daruma (982 m/3,221 ft) is most famous for its panoramic views of Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji, which lies due west.On this hike, however, Mother Nature presented me with an alternative view of sunbeams forming â€œstage lightsâ€ on the eastern shores of the Izu Peninsula.

View of the cities Numazu and Shimizu located on the coast of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, with a clear view of Awashima Island in the center.

The winding Nishi-Izu Skyline toll road is a popular route for both motor and cycling enthusiasts. At the second curve, you can see the Asebigahara Parking Lot and the trail to Mt. Kodaruma, which if you keep heading north, will take you to the peak of Mt. Kinkan.

The Tsumekizaki Lighthouse (çˆªæœ¨å´Žç¯å°) was built in 1937 and rises 17.32 m (17.32 ft) above ground level and 37.83 m (124.11 ft) above sea level.

This view of the western side of Cape Tsumeki reveals hexagonal, geometric patterns of columnar joints that formed when lava cooled and hardened after an ancient underwater volcanic eruption. Among many other natural wonders, this location of columnar joints has been included in the Izu Peninsula UNESCO Global Geopark.

This view of Tsumeki Island, as seen from the bluff atop Cape Tsumeki, also shows Oshima Island in the distance, which approximately 35 km (21.6 mi) offshore from where I took this shot.

View of Heda Port located on the western coast of Suruga Bay in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. In the far distance lies the city of Shizuoka on the opposite side across the bay.

On the opposite side of Suzaki Cove, we have a clear view of Ebisu Island. A 10-minute walk around this island offers fantastic views of the ocean, the Izu shoreline, and beautiful geological formations. Visitors can also visit a lighthouse and a small Shinto shrine located at the top of the island.

At the beginning of the Suzaki Promenade is this quaint little beach in a Tanoura Cove. I love the contrast of soft brownish sand and lovely greenish blue shallow waters.

Cape Tsumesaki in the city of Shimoda on the Izu Peninsula is probably best known for its tall lighthouse, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean from the bluff, and large beds of daffodils and aloe close to the quaint sandy beach nearby.

The Tsumekizaki Flower Park includes a greenhouse where you can appreciate tropical fruits and subtropical plants such as bananas, papaya, bougainvillea, and pandanus (screw pine or screw palm).

The view of Tsumeki Island off the coast of Tsumekizaki  Beach makes for a nice subject with the morning sunrise creating wonderful golden light aided by low cloud cover over Sagami Bay (Japan) in the far distance.

Cape Tsumeki offers 360 degrees if views from the end of the cape just below the lighthouse with a near 30-meter drop to the sea. Although the strong winds can be a little scary, the cape offers fantastic views of the the power and force that Mother Nature can release on the coastline of the capes that jut out into the Pacific Ocean.

There are three huge torii gates leading up to the Samukawa Shrine. The third one, San-no-Torii, is located at the entrance grounds of the Samukawa Shrine as shown in this shot.

A new bridge was opened in 1993 but later destroyed when the combination of a high tide and storm surge from Typhoon Lan hit the region in 2017. The current bridge has proper railings, can be lit up at night during festivals, and is painted a lovely vermilion in tune with most of the other bridges on the island.

Formed over 3,000 years ago, this active volcanic zone draws tourists by the busload and has a ropeway that carries visitors from the shores of nearby Lake Ashi (Ashinoko) over the steaming vents up to the top of the lava dome that formed between 80,000 and 130,000 years ago.

The Hakone Taikanzan Observatory in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, is on the list of Japanâ€™s Top 100 Scenic Spotsâ€”a list that was originally compiled by two major newspapers in 1927.After several visits to this site in 2022, I was finally able to catch a clear shot of Mt. Fuji towering over Lake Ashinoko in the foreground.

The vivid, vermilion lacquered torii is the gateway to the large Enoshima Shrine complex that consists of three main shrines located at the top of a winding set of stairs.

The sidewalk leading to the shrine is lined with a stone fence that has four rows of lanterns with the names of individuals, shops, and companies who made donations to the shrine for its maintenance and upkeep.

On both of the huge paper lanterns between the street and the torii gate are beautiful motifs of cranes, which is the symbol used on the shrineâ€™s crest and is found on several structures throughout Hiratsuka Hachimangu Shrine.

Katabira River (å¸·å­å·) as seen from Hiranuma Bridge just southwest of Yokohama Station. The river starts in Asahi Ward as a little brook and runs right next to Yokohama Station where it empties into Tokyo Bay.

Rising a mere 1,291 m (4,235.56 ft) above sea level, the peak of MyÅjinyama Mountain (é‰„ç ²æœ¨ãƒŽé ­ or æ˜Žç¥žå±±ï¼‰offers lovely views of Yamanako Lake to the west and grand views of Mt. Fuji to the southwest (on a clear day).

Mt. Fuji was very camera-shy while I was at the summit of  Mt. Myojin (æ˜Žç¥žå±±). It was difficult to catch any clean shot where she wasnâ€™t hiding behind cloud cover.Fortunately, the late-afternoon sun helped bring out the golden tones of susuki (Japanese pampas grass).

View of Lake Yamanaka (å±±ä¸­æ¹–) from the trailhead that leads to the peak of Mt. Myojin (æ˜Žç¥žå±±) in Yamanashi Prefecture where you can enjoy lovely views of the lake and grand views of Mt. Fuji to the southwest (on a clear day).Access to the trailhead is only a 45-minute drive from the Shin-Hadano Exit on the Tomei Expressway. The trailhead includes restrooms, picnic tables, and free parking.

The Japanese pampas grass (susuki) in the foreground stands in stark contrast with the dark afternoon shadow cast across the eastern slope of Mt. Fuji.

She is taking a well-deserved break in the shade of tall pampas grass at the summit of Mt. Myojinyama with the peak of Mt. Fuji in the background.

Tanukikoji (ç‹¸å°è·¯) is a small covered ally just barely wide enough for two people to pass that is tucked between two larger buildings, and lined with tiny restaurants, bars, and pubs, and is located only a few minutes from the central west exit of Yokohama Station.

My neighborhood koban (police box i.e. mini-police-station), is usually manned by a senior citizen volunteer since the most they need to do is offer guidance to people looking for an address, have found a lost item, or in search of a lost item.Most kobans I have seen near major train stations in Yokohama,  Tokyo, and Osaka, however seemed to always have one or two on-duty officers ready to handle most inquiries and be within walking or bicycling distance of an altercation or crime.

I captured this elderly man walking past a ramen shop (left) and a yakiniku shop (right) as he was leaving from a nearby construction site.

The Don Quijote super-discount store near the south exit of Yokohama Station used to be a name-brand fashion outlet years ago with beautiful store window displays and had an air of class and quality. I used to visit there just to check out the nice suits and neckties they had on display. Sadly, my wallet was not thick enough to actually purchase something.Economics forced the New York Fifth Avenue wannabe-store to close shop and hand over the reins to Don Quijoteâ€”a 24/7 super discount store that barely keeps isles wide enough to meet fire standards in an effort to jam as many cheap products as they can onto the store floors.

A little old lady making her way past a typical urban police box (koban/äº¤ç•ª) near Sakuragicho Station in central Yokohama, Japan. Note the police officerâ€™s bicycle on the right, which has a little white box behind the bicycle seat for documents the officer will use when doing work on-site, including passing out parking tickets.Although there are police stations like what youâ€™d find in the West with administrative offices, jailing facilities, etc., most interactions with the police in Japan occur at your local koban, which are spread throughout the city and are often located in convenient areas where there is typically a lot of foot traffic.

Torii gates are typically decorated with just the shimenawa straw rope with paper shide hanging from the rope. During the New Yearâ€™s holidays and a few other festivals, you can see bamboo tied to the torii gate.

This torii gate is the first major landmark you come across as you make your approach up the narrow alley of shops that lead to the large set of stairs that take you up to the top of the island and all of its various shrines.

Shrine on Cliffs of Cape Irozaki (Izu, Japan)

Ishimuro Shrine, a Shinto shrine on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Kumano Shrine located at the furthermost end of Cape Irozaki on the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture (Japan) is where a deity of marriage is enshrined.

On the right is Iro Shrineâ€“a larger and older structure that is built into the side of cliffs right above crashing waves below.

Located atop cliffs on the southernmost extremity of the Izu Peninsula, the lighthouse is a short walk from Irozaki Ocean Park.

An 8-minute exposure of the Irozaki Lighthouse, which is located atop cliffs on the southernmost extremity of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Most of the trees in Kinchakuda Manjushage Park (Saitama Prefecture, Japan) stand upright offering visitors to the park a  lovely canopy of shade when viewing the red spider lilies

This is the last shot of a four-part series of the red spider lilies on display at the Kinchakuda Manjushage Park in the small town of Hidaka in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Glass facade and sharp angles create interesting reflections of neighboring high-rise buildings.

Built in 1928, the architect was influenced by the Art Deco architectural style that was popular in Europe in the early 20th century.

Off-center to the left is the historical Yokohama Customs Building. Rebuilt in 1934 after the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

This shot was taken at an altitude of 2,025 meters (6,644 feet) looking north of the Utsukushigahara Highlands (Nagano Pref., Japan).

The Shira-Ito Falls (shira=white + ito=thread) on the Shiba River are a unique waterfall in the scenic, lush surroundings of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park on the western slope of Mt. Fuji.These falls are the result of two major volcanic eruptions. The ground at the bottom of the falls was formed by eruptions of â€œOld Fujiâ€ around 100,000 years ago. The ground at the top of the falls was formed by eruptions of â€œNew Fujiâ€ that have occurred during the past 5,000 years.The falls are easily accessible from Tokyo by either the Tomei Expressway or the Chuo Expressway. There are two large  parking lots near the falls which only cost 300 yen for the whole day. (Note that rates might be more expensive if you visit on a national holiday or weekend.)

Shot of a flock (small herd) of sheep grazing at the Makaino Farm/Ranch Resort near the foot of Mt. Fuji in Fujinomiya, Shizuoka Prefecture. The farm allows visitors to get up and close to goats, sheep, calves, cows, horses, and ponies.

The Makaino Ranch is a part of the Asagari Highlands near the base of Mt. Fuji. This area was where vassals to the shogun would raise war horses. The shogun, Minamot-no-Yoritomo, was the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate ruling Japan from 1192 until 1199. The surname of one of the vassals was â€œMakainoâ€â€”which explains why this farm is called Makaino Ranch.

The Makaino Ranch near the base of Mt. Fuji has a pasture where you can get up close to grazing sheep. Although I was raised on a farm, I have never been this close to a farm animal with a camera in hand. Keeping a sharp focus on this ewe while maintaining a narrow depth of field was very challenging since she kept inching forward while grazing and ended up slowly slipping outside of my focal range! I am not a spray-and-pray type of photographer, so my normal approach to these shots was a bit of a challenge but thoroughly enjoyable.

The Shira-Ito Falls (shira=white + ito=thread) on the Shiba River are a unique waterfall in the scenic, lush surrounds of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park on the western slope of Mt. Fuji.These falls are the result of two major volcanic eruptions. The ground at the bottom of the falls was formed by eruptions of â€œOld Fujiâ€ around 100,000 years ago. The ground at the top of the falls was formed by eruptions of â€œNew Fujiâ€ that have occurred during the past 5,000 years.

The Makaino Ranch is a part of the Asagari Highlands near the base of Mt. Fuji. This area was where vassals to the shogun would raise war horses by order of the shogun Minamot-no-Yoritomo, who was the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate ruling Japan from 1192 until 1199. The surname of one of the vassals was â€œMakainoâ€â€”which explains why this farm is called Makaino Ranch. Nowadays, the ranch is family-friendly park where families can get up close to domesticated animals.

View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the southern end of Yamashita Park in Yokohama, Japan. Although the 58-story tower apartment (left) can still be seen in its entirety, the upper floors of the 71-story Landmark Tower (right) have been swallowed by the clouds.

View of the Minatomirai waterfront district as seen from the waterâ€™s edge of Yamashita park in Yokohama, Japan. I love how the low-lying clouds obscure the tops of the hotels and office towers in the distance.

The highlands of Utsukushigahara in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, rise to an elevation of 2,034 m (approx. 6,673 ft), offering a panoramic view of grazing pastures, the Northern Alps, and on a clear day, Mt. Fuji.

Access to this section of the Old Tokaido Highway is right across the street from the parking lot located at the foot of the Onshi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan). Hydrangea typically start blooming when the rainy season starts. However, at this higher elevation, the ajisai flowers had not yet come out even though it was mid-June. Late June or early July might be the best time to visit this corridor of giant cedars planted over 300 years ago for travelers making the long journey between Kyoto and Edo.

small foot path that seemed to lead down to  Ashinoko Lake in Onishi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan)

The "Heiwa-no-Torii" (Gate of Peace) is a torii gate located on the shoreline of Ashinoko Lake in Hakone, Japan. This is the first of several large torii gates that are located up the side of the mountain to the Hakone Shrine. This shot was taken from across the lake on a small foot path hugging the shore of the lake.

South-westerly view from some rocky cliffs of Utsukushigahara-Kogen highlands in Nagano Prefecture Japan. This shot includes the Iriyamabe mountains in the foreground, the city of Matsumoto in the mid-ground, and the lower (southern) region of the Northern Alps on the horizon.

South-easterly view from some rocky cliffs of Utsukushigahara-Kogen highlands in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. This shot includes the Yatsu-Gatake Chushin-Kogen mountains in the mid-ground and the upper (northern) region of the Southern Alps on the horizon.

Parts of the footpath that hug the Ashinoko Lake shoreline in Onishi-Hakone Park (Hakone, Japan) have sturdy fences to keep visitors from falling into the lake. The abundance of moisture creates a haven for moss to grow on nearly every possible surface.

The garden at the Buaiso residence (circa late 1800s to early 1900s) in Machida, Tokyo, Japan, has many unique items dating back to 1942 and much earlier. The overtly large garden tap features an acorn motif on top, which reflects the influence that the English gardens of British aristocracy had on the ownerâ€”Jiro Shirasu, who studied at the University of Cambridge from 1923.

View of an outcrop of Cape Manazuru looking northeast in the direction of Tokyo from a small trail that leads from the Mitsuichi Rocks towards the Gandara-Manazuru Seaside Camping Ground, which lies on the waterâ€™s edge. The dense foliage on the  outcrop is called Ohayashi, a virgin forest with black pine trees, camphor trees, and castanopsis. Seedlings were planted on the grassy outcrop about 350 years ago under the order of the Shogun when demand for lumber skyrocketed after the 1657 Great Fire of Meireki, which destroyed up to 70% of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Shipping of large timber from this forest would have been relatively easy as there were already ports available nearby that were used for shipping of large stones from a nearby quarry to build Odawara Castle.

Close-up shot of the torii gate and shimenawa rope located atop the largest rock (sea stack) of the three Mitsuishi Rocks. Many coastal locations in Japan have large rocks or sea stacks with a shimenawa rope and/or a torii gate dedicated to the god or kami of the sea to pray for safety and a bountiful harvest.

Having stayed up all night during the drive to Cape Manazuru, she was finally exhausted after climbing over boulders, forging through thick seaweed, and chasing after waves as they lapped against the rocky shoreline.

The Ishibune-bashi Bridge (çŸ³èˆŸæ©‹ / Ishibune-bashi) extends for 96 meters across the Minamiaki River as it flows through the Akigawa Valley (ç§‹å·æ¸“è°· / Akigawa Keikoku). The bridge offers great views of the valley below, and is especially popular during autumn as the surrounding mountainside foliage changes colors.

The Akigawa Valley (ç§‹å·æ¸“è°· / Akigawa Keikoku) is a narrow gorge that cuts through the mountains of the Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. Visiting during the rainy season is both breathtaking and refreshing. Slightly humid, but still cool enough to need a jacket when hiking along the river or following trails leading to ancient shrines and temples.

Although I visited this river during the rainy season, the water level was lower than I had expected with most of the river bank being accessible. In the middle of the river, however, it gets quite deep, which I suppose makes for a great habitat for trout since further downstream is the Akigawa International Trout Fishing Ground.

A variety of fishing boats can be seen from the coast of Cape Manazuru (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan), including commercial fishing boats and hired cruisers taking guests out to sea for some deep sea fishing. The local economy is based on bounties brought in from the sea.

Some parts of the shoreline of Cape Manazuru can be a bit treacherous to crawl over with very slippery moss on some of the rocks that are constantly pounded by waves. Other rocks are a big jagged and require some effort to climb over. At low tide, however, you can still walk/climb from the Mitsuishi Rocks over to the Gandara-Manazuru Seaside Camping Ground.

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Daisei Iketani

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