Japan - Temple Life, Lake's Edge at Hakone

In another part of Japan, on the southeastern shore of Lake Ashi, is the beautiful Hakone temple complex.  This 2-shot panorama was captured later during our visit after we'd hiked down to the shore.  The foreground was kept deliberately dark so the tree would not lose its silhouette.

Nestled in the midst of huge cypress trees that were hundreds of years old, this temple/shrine was the most unique and interesting of all that we visited.  A real workout, though...lots of steep hillside to navigate via interminable stone stairways.  My 86-year-old father-in-law demonstrated amazing stamina in keeping up with it all.