Sunset along the flank of Mt. Fuji, seen from the Shinkansen [bullet train] somewhere in Kanazawa Prefecture.

A tunnel of blossoming cherry trees at Izu Kogen, on the eastern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, Japan.

A crisp winter morning in the city of Ito on the eastern coast of the Izu Penninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

A cloudy evening settles over the city of Ito, on the eastern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, Japan.

A waterfall pours mountain water into the ocean on the Eastern coast of Japan's Izu Penninsula.

Himeji Castle

Himeji Castle, also called the White Heron Castle, is considered the best-preserved castle in Japan. The original structure, more of a fortified building than a castle, was built in 1346. Further improvements were made in the late 16th century after Toyotomi Hideyoshi was placed in charge of the castle. When the Toyotomi clan were defeated by Tokugawa Ieyasu around 1600, the castle was handed over to Ikeda Terumasa, who spent 9 years elevating the complex to its present form. Himeji Castle was designated as a National Treasure in 1931, and extensive restoration was performed between 1956 and 1964. In 1993, the Castle was placed on the list of UNESCO World Cultural and Heritage Sites. This photo was taken in early May during the height of cherry-blossom season.

A puddle filled with autumn leaves reflects their source in the mountains of the Izu Penninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Lilies bloom along the rugged volcanic coastline of Japan's Izu Penninsula.

Flaming sunset over the city of Ito, on Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Penninsula, Japan.

A flowing stream carries rainwater down out of the mountains of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Koi [carp] in the Matsukawa River as it passes beneath the old Japanese Inn "Tokaikan" in the city of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. Tokaikan 東海館 "Eastern Sea Inn", is wooden structure built in 1913 as a sort of community facility for enjoying Ito's hot springs. The three-story building features extraordinary craftsmanship in cedar and Japanese cypress. The Matsukawa 松川 "Pine River" runs from the Matsukawako 松川湖 "Pine River Lake", eastward through the city of Ito, into the Pacific Ocean.

Waves crash against volcanic rock on the rugged coastline of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Sunrise on the eastern coast of rugged Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Sunset over the city of Ito, on the eastern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, Japan.

Sunrise over the city of Ito, on the eastern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, Japan.

Sunset over the city of Ito, on the eastern coast of Shizuoka Prefecture's Izu Peninsula, Japan.

The sun rises over Oshima, one of the seven Izu Islands, silhouetting a pine clinging to the volcanic cliffs of the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Azaleas in bloom at Komuroyama, near the city of Ito, on the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.