Large and often very colorful carp are a very common sight in the rivers and ponds of Japan. Carp in a Lily Pond

Lush green rice plants in the foreground of the Sousenkyo mountain gorge in Yamanashi Prefecture. Mountain Rice Paddies

Stone torii gate, that marks the entrance to every shinto shrine, in Ishikawa Prefecture. The rope hanging from it is typical of those used to mark sacred objects, including trees. Torii Gate

A cherry tree blooms next to a river in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture. Spring River

The five- tier pagoda of Sojiji temple in Ishikawa Prefecture is visible through the trees. Pagoda

Twin waterfalls cascade down the mountainside in the Daisetsuzan National Park in Hokkaido. Waterfalls

Barrels of sake line a corridor in the Toshogu temple complex in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. Sake is used in many holy rituals. Sake Barrels

Cherry blossoms cross the whole country in a wave of pink for just a few brief days every spring. Their transience provides a metaphor for our own brief existence. Cherry Blossoms

Raked gravel and rocks tell a tale in this small Kyoto temple garden. Rock Garden

Traditional Japanese buildings often have these corridors running round the outside, blurring the boundaries between inside and out. Temple Corridor

A temple set amidst a desolate landscape. Temple Desolation

Tuna marked up and ready for sale at the Tsukiji fish market. The market is one of the biggest in the world. Various cuts of tuna, such as maguro and toro, are popular staples for sushi and sashimi. Tokyo. Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo

Giant chunks of tuna in a freezer at the Tsukiji fish market. The market is one of the biggest in the world. Tokyo.

Rice paddies are cut into the mountainside. With over 70% of the country consisting of mountainous areas, necessity is the mother of invention. Rice Paddies

Two sumo rikishi (wrestlers) prepare for the tachiai (face-off). Both rikishi must start behind a white line and not attack until their opponent has touched the clay surface. The gyoji or referee (left) wears a traditional costume and calls the rikishi to prepare to fight. Sumo Tachiai, Tokyo

A priest begging for alms beneath a huge red chochin (lantern) in Asakusa. Priest Begging for Alms

A procession of Buddhist monks in colorful robes at Narita- san Shinso-ji Temple. Chiba Prefecture. Buddhist Monks at Shinso-ji Temple, Chiba

A traditional stone lantern with the Great Buddha of Kamakura in the background. The Buddha used to be housed in a temple, which was washed away by a tidal wave in Great Buddha (Daibutsu), Kamakura

A cap-like cloud forms over the summit of Mt. Fuji. Cloud formations over Japan's tallest mountain often indicate upcoming weather patterns. Cloud Over Mt. Fuji

Winter snows cover one of the shrines at Toshogu in Nikko. Tochigi Prefecture. Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

This is the famous carving of three monkeys above the entrance to the sacred stable at Toshogu shrine in Nikko. It is the source of the saying 'Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil.' Tochigi Prefecture Three Monkeys, Nikko

A wooden statue of a guardian diva king at the entrance to a shrine in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. Devi King, Nikko

Kinkakuji, the Temple of the Golden Pavilion. The original 15th-century temple was destroyed in an arson attack and rebuilt in Kinkakuji, Kyoto

The three-turreted keep of Matsumoto Castle behind a veil of willow trees. The castle was built around 1595 and is one of the finest originals of its kind. Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture. Matsumoto Castle, Nagano

Niju-bashi, one of the access bridges across the moat of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. The palace is only open to the public on the Emperor's birthday (December 23rd) and January 2 nd. Imperial Palace, Tokyo

A lantern stands in front of a giant wooden torii gate at Tokyo's Meiji Jingu shrine. The shrine is one of the most popular in the city. Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo

The Narita-san Shinso-ji Temple is one of the most popular in the Kanto area for hatsumode, the first visit of the New Year. The temple attracts millions of visitors over a period of a few days each year. Narita, Chiba Prefecture Narita-san Shinso-ji Temple

The pagoda at Narita-san Shinso-ji Temple. The temple attracts around ten million visitors a year. Narita, Chiba Prefecture Narita-san Shinso-ji Temple Pagoda