These wondrously illuminated caverns extend under the mountains of the Fukushima Prefecture.

Approximately 300 million years ago, a massive coral reef existed in what is now the largest limestone cave in Japan.

Nestled in an unassuming residential area, this "forbidden forest" is rumored to spirit away those who dare to enter.

This massive, Edo Period, coin-shaped sand painting is believed to be a source of great luck.

Nope, not the one in France. The only officially-recognized reproduction of Monet’s garden in Giverny is located in a remote corner of Japan.

The largest archaeological site from the Yayoi period.

This village is home to the largest existing settlement of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Japan.

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

According to one legend, this bridge was crafted after monkeys formed a body-bridge across the gorge.

The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.

A shrine dedicated to the sacred white snakes of Iwakuni, whose albinism has been passed down for generations.

This brothel-turned-restaurant features plenty of surprises and elaborate, extravagant architecture.

A train ride to the middle of nowhere gives its passengers some of the most iconic views of Japan's seasons.

A bibliophile's heaven that contains hundreds of bookstores, offering over a third of secondhand books for sale in Tokyo.

The seat of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom has survived numerous fires and wars over the centuries.

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.

Running through lush forests and across the Tadami River, this train line offers breathtaking views of rural Japan.

A stretch of the Iwai River that features beautiful rocky cliffs, rapids, and flying dango.

Established over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this day.

The only Edo-period ferry that is still in operation in Tokyo today.

This garden located inside a bamboo forest once belonged to a famous Japanese actor.

Tatar Russian in origin, the largest mosque in Japan is now an Ottoman-style Turkish culture center.

A museum run by retired highway engineers who helped rebuild after the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

At the time of its construction, this type of door was nearly unheard of.