Japan & South Korea

30 Places

Nagasaki, Japan

Gunkanjima Island

Once the most densely populated place in the world, this island is now a ghost town.

Added by ilbonito

Ghibli Museum

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

Added by ack sed

Hatsukaichi, Japan

Itsukushima Shrine

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

Ryōan-ji

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

journeylism

Added by journeylism

Sanjūsangen-dō

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

Josh

Takakonuma Greenland

An abandoned amusement park off the grid.

serflac

Added by serflac

Takehara, Japan

Okunoshima

Japanese island famous for poison gas and fluffy bunnies.

PaperTiger

Added by PaperTiger

Hakone Open-Air Museum

Open-air museum with an elaborate sculpture garden, stretching for over 70,000 square-meters.

leiris

Added by leiris

Yokohama, Japan

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

littlebrumble

Added by littlebrumble

Nakagin Capsule Tower

The original "capsule building" is a masterpiece of Metabolist architecture.

stanestane

Added by stanestane

Yoro Park

Experience park where visitors are told to expect the unexpected.

Tōdai-ji Daibutsuden (The Great Buddha Hall)

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

Clinton

Added by Clinton

Kokoen Garden

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

Added by Phreddiva

Pasona O2

Underground farm located in a former bank vault deep within the bowels of Tokyo's business district.

Leslie McIntyre

Added by Leslie McIntyre

Tenryu-Ji Shrine's Bamboo Trail

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

Added by bebeto

Chinoike Jigoku

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

serflac

Added by serflac

Mohri Garden Pond

An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

Added by ilbonito

Owakudani Black Eggs

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

Clinton

Added by Clinton

Pigment

Every color in the rainbow awaits.

Molly McBride Jacobson

Added by Molly McBride Jacobson

Kawaii Monster Cafe

A Japanese concept restaurant that feels like a party thrown by the monsters in your closet.

Sebastian Wortys

Added by Sebastian Wortys

Gotokuji Temple

The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

catobsessedanne

Added by catobsessedanne

Kamakura, Japan

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

Added by lhackney

Meoto Iwa

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

Josh

Godzilla Head

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.

wheninroam

Added by wheninroam

The Queen Chateau Soapland

The ruins of Japan’s premier water brothel.

Added by michaeljohngrist

Akeno Gekijo: Ruined Japanese Stripclub

This ruined Japanese stripclub sits half burnt to the ground.

Added by michaeljohngrist

Onomichi, Japan

Ribbon Chapel

This high-design church is made up of two dizzying spirals meant to evoke the weaving together of marriage.

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Noboribetsu-shi, Japan

Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

A steaming, boiling hellscape sources Hokkaido's thermal baths.

Merlucdai

Added by Merlucdai

Kumejima-chō, Japan

Tatami-ishi (Tatami Rocks)

Unusual hexagonal rocks formed by cooling lava named for their resemblance to traditional Japanese tatami mats.

Added by pokipaul

Seoul, South Korea

Yongma Land Abandoned Theme Park

Plenty of old carney magic still haunts this photogenic amusement park.

Added by escapementality