Fujigoko (富士五湖), or Fuji Five Lakes in English, is a Japanese national treasure of exquisite and unbelievable beauty. My two favorite lakes are Motosu and Shōji. They are my favorite because the shorelines have not been overrun by hotels, shops, and parking lots like Kawaguchiko, Saiko, and Yamanakako lakes.

The fall colors were in full display when I visited...and the views were stunning!

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Nothing lasts forever...

From the withering grass to the fading flower

Of their glorious beauty - only a memory of the sensations remains

Yet fading each day

The trees of the forest carry on

Ceaselessly their song of commemoration and wonder

An instruction carried upon the wind for all to hear

An indefatigable reminder to seek the true purpose and love that is hidden

Hidden like a treasure within us all

The beauty and wonder of both fall and winter captured in one photograph.

While searching for a view of Mount Fuji unfettered by power lines and radio towers we came across an abandoned Shinto Shrine. The place was eerie with an eldritch vibe. We did not stick around too long.

Pressing on we came across a vista of Lake Motosu and the Southern Japanese Alps - the right most peak (not obscured by the clouds) is Mount Kita - at 3193 meters tall she is the second tallest mountain in Japan, after Mount Fuji.

To see more photos, check out this Google Photos Album here.