Giant sand sculptures of famous people and places are on display near the Tottori sand dunes.

The traditional houses along the coast of this charming Japanese fishing village allow people to sleep above the sea.

This massive wooden building contains a giant Buddha, healing pillars, and tame deer wandering the grounds.

Have a soak at this retro bathhouse, where you will find Japan's first electric bath, tiling from Spain, and wood carvings representing the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

1,001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

Turn around and stick your head between your legs for the best view of this tree-covered sandbar.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

One of the world's largest ancient burial mounds.

This ancient shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years since the eighth century.

This pair of small sea rocks has been "wed" using rope and ancient Shinto tradition.

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

A 70-foot-deep ice cave formed by lava from Mt. Fuji on the edge of Japan's "Suicide Forest." 

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.

One in a pair of subterranean caves created by an ancient eruption of Mount Fuji.

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

Modern Japanese museum is buried by snow annually.

There's light and a dreamlike panorama at the end of this tunnel.

Inside the columbarium, thousands of colorful, high-tech Buddhas guard the ashes of the dead.

Exploring crime and punishment in feudal and pre-modern Japan.

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

A Buddhist temple on an artificial island that houses a monument to the fugu fish.