This enormous "shamoji" means more to the people of Miyajima than just a way getting rice onto a plate.

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

The only thing sweeter than the potatoes is the canine proprietor of this roadside stall.

An astounding annual light display honors the victims of one of Japan's most devastating earthquakes.

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.

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

A real-life replica of a home from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved movie "My Neighbor Totoro."

The world's largest drain sits below the city of Kasukabe, Japan.

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

Shells collected from over a hundred different countries line the walls, floors and ceilings of this fantasy museum.

The world’s first hotel to be run by robots.

Transport yourself to the 1980s era of video games at this themed restaurant and bar.

Enormous underground chamber built to detect 'ghost particles' of the universe.

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

We heard you like volcanoes so we put a volcano in your volcano so you can die for sure...

Starship-temple contains 400 tons of drinking water and offers free Japanese lessons.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

This isolated Japanese mountain village untouched by time showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.

This pond is so stunning it looks like you've stepped into one of Monet's masterpieces.

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

A massive cave complex boasts some of the clearest water (and most charming bats) in the world.

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

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