Access to this hidden site of a 14th-century mass suicide is prohibited, unless it is to pray for the dead.

A monk-run winery inside a Buddhist temple celebrates Japan's crown grape varietal.

A mysterious set of tunnels carved in the hills of rural northern Kyushu.

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

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

The largest of its kind in Japan, this century-old wasabi farm is also known for its appearance in an Akira Kurosawa film.

The 43-mile route crosses through six islands with gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea.

A Japanese cat island also populated by the descendants of a band of banished samurai.

Colloquially known as “piss alley,” this narrow street filled with tiny bars and barbecue stands looks like it was pulled straight out of “Blade Runner.”

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

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

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

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.

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

Experience park where visitors are told to expect the unexpected.

Every autumn, this hillside is ablaze with red summer cypress.

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

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.

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

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

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

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

Surreal giant face-pillars welcome visitors from across the globe to this hotel.

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