Prospective hikers to the Japanese tourist site will have to take a class about hiking safety and local rules.

“There are people out there who want a temple, even a mountain temple ... Owning a temple, shrine or church recognized as a religious corporation in Japan can confer sizeable tax benefits.

Mount Yoshino offers a good (and beautiful) reason to get out of Tokyo and Kyoto and venture off the beaten path.

Mount Yoshino in Yoshino-Kumano National Park is considered one of the best places to view cherry blossoms in Japan ... The mountain is dotted with age-old shrines and temples, along with miles ...

Last year, Japan started collecting entry fees of ¥2,000 (£10) per head from people climbing the famous volcano to limit the ...

The Japanese Alps tower around us ... woven from bamboo with tempura made with local mountain vegetables - is particularly famous. Togakushi Shrine is just one of Nagano's attractions.