This traditional Japanese-style house doubles as one of James Turrell's colorful works of art.

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

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

A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.

Existing for more than four centuries, the last of Hakone’s historic teahouses serves a sweet, mold-based rice drink.

Sidle into a side alley for a taste of sumo wrestlers' traditional hot-pot soup, in a tiny restaurant founded by a former competitor.

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

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

After being lost for decades, this striking mural depicting the atomic bomb covers the wall of a busy Tokyo metro station.

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry.

This bridge is so steep it looks like a rollercoaster.

The tallest city hall in the world offers an excellent bento box.

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

This town near Nagasaki is flecked with fruit-flavored bus stops.

As the aging humans of this Japanese village die off one local artisan is replacing them with eerie homonculi.

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

Weighing nearly 7 tons, this massive sculpture was carved out of 500-year-old wood and decorated with thousands of jewels.

This active volcano's siren song to suicide jumpers forced authorities to build a fence.

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

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

Dedicated to the armor and weapons used by the legendary Japanese warriors.