18 / Fuji

Mount Fuji is a beloved and recognizable symbol of Japan. Those who inhabit these islands identify this striking feature of the natural world with the nation itself, and about 400,000 people climb the mountain each year.

In terms of what planners call "the built environment," Japan seems not so different from the United States, at least to the quick observation of a visitor passing through. Sprawl and clutter are evident in the outskirts of Tokyo, though this city of almost 13 million does teem with a vibrant urban life.