At least this year I knew my legs wouldn't hurt. Last year I had helped carry a 1500-pound portable shrine down 201 stone steps, and, being considerably taller than everyone else on the crew, had felt like I was carrying most of that weight myself.

One of the oldest resort hotels in Japan, The Fujiya Hotel in Miyanoshita, Hakone is a treasure. First opened in 1891, the Fujiya was Japan's first 'Western style' hotel. In its heyday, this was 'the' place to stay. General McArthur, Charlie Chaplin, and Helen Keller are just a few famous visitors to the hotel.

Summer in Japan is exciting and magical as the country is enveloped in an array of colors and boisterous sounds.