About 60 miles from Tokyo, Japan, the beautiful, elegant Mount Fuji is a mysterious and spiritual celebration that has inspired art and literature throughout the ages as a gateway to another world.

"Mt. Fuji looms large," described National Geographic in Nature's World of Wonders. "Not only in the Japanese landscape, but also in the Japanese imagination."

The conical-shaped mountain is located on the border of Shizuoka and Yamanashi Perfectures in central Honshu.

Rising 12,388 feet (3,776 meters), the base is an almost perfect circle, about 25-miles across. Still considered active, the mountain last erupted in 1707. Tests in 2003 showed no sign of volcanic activity.

As the Japanese Proverb observed, "Who travels for love finds a thousand miles not longer than one." For generations, the soaring Mt. Fuji--also called Fujiyama ("ever lasting life") and Fujisan--has been considered a sacred mountain where piligrims climb as a religious experience. The Shinto Goddess Sengen-Sama’s shrine is at the summit.

"Being on the top of the world for those few moments...(made) all the training and preparation well worthwhile. I savor(ed) every second," described paraplegic climber Keegan Reilly, who reached the top of Fujisan in September 2003.

Ringed by lakes and forests and celebrated by artist Katsushika Hokusai in 36 different views, Mt Fuji changes with seasonal passion, from every vantage point. For the heart and soul...

"Beauty," said poet Gabriela Mistral. "Is the shadow of God on the universe."

Find your purpose and passionately pursue it.