1. The beginning of the long, long trail up the mountain. There is still plenty of vegetation at this elevation.

7. Junior high students from Seien Girl's High School in Hamamatsu. Climbing Japan's most famous mountain is a summer challenge for many students.

2. Tipping is practically unknown in Japan, but at this bio toilet you are expected to leave some money. Sawdust or some similar material is used to help break down the human waste and prevent pollution.

3. Relief showing Sir Rutherford Alcock, Britain's first diplomat to Japan. In 1860, he became the first non-Japanese to climb Mount Fuji. He chose the Fujinomiya-guchi route to the top.

4. The fine weather is an added encouragement for these trekkers on their way up to the summit.

8. A rainbow frames the sky as the mist clears.

5. Hoei-zan So, a souvenir shop at the sixth station.

6. Mist suddenly closes in, practically hiding trekkers just a few paces away.

9. Yamaguchi Yoshimasa in front of his mountain hostel, Ganso Nana-gome Yamaguchi Sanso.

10. This mountain hostel can accommodate 160 people at any one time.
During the climbing season on weekends, people are packed in so tight they can hardly turn in their sleep.