Japanese skier, engineer eyeing Olympic medal with Japan-made skis

Japanese skier, engineer eyeing Olympic medal with Japan-made skis

TOKYO, Japan - Hiroaki Otaka, who heads a group of engineers for production of skis at Japana Co. belonging to Alpen Co., holds a pair of Hart-brand skis designed for alpine skier Naoki Yuasa at a plant in the town of Mitake in Gifu Prefecture on Oct. 22, 2013.

Mt. Mitake to open to hikers with dogs

Mt. Mitake to open to hikers with dogs

TOKYO, Japan - Hikers and their dogs receive blessings for the health of the dogs at the Musashi Mitake Shrine on the summit of Mt. Mitake in Ome, Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2012.

Mt. Mitake to open to hikers with dogs

Mt. Mitake to open to hikers with dogs

TOKYO, Japan - Hikers walk their dogs during a trial climb at Mt. Mitake in Ome, Tokyo on Nov. 25, 2012.

2 die in fall from Nagano cable car

2 die in fall from Nagano cable car

MITAKE, Japan - Two passengers riding in a cable car in Mitake, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, died Oct. 15 after a cable became detached from a pulley and they were thrown from the gondola (shown).

2 die in fall from Nagano cable car

2 die in fall from Nagano cable car

MITAKE, Japan - Two passengers riding in a cable car in Mitake, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, died Oct. 15 after a cable became detached from a pulley and they were thrown from the gondola (shown). (Kyodo)

Stone Gate at Mt. Mitake Shosenkyo

Stone Gate at Mt. Mitake Shosenkyo

A huge stone gate and two people. This gate which was formed by natural winds and rain from the plutonic rocks is located in the valley of Ontake Shosenkyo, upper stream of Ara River which is a branch of the Fuefuki River.==Date:unknown, Place:Yamanashi, Photo:Kusakabe Kinbei, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number40‐19‐0]

Mitake new road at Koshu

Mitake new road at Koshu

The view of Mitake-shosenkyo from Hirase-machi, present Kofu. The Mitake-sindo(new road) passing through Mitake-shosenkyo had been built in Tenpo era(1830-1844).==Date:unknown, Place:Yamanashi, Photo:Kusakabe Kinbei, (Credit:Nagasaki University Library/Kyodo News Images) [Cabinet Number38‐21‐0]

Basketball: Michael Jordan

Basketball: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan attends a tape-cutting ceremony to mark his donation of a basketball court at Mitake Park in Tokyo's Shibuya on May 23, 2004. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo