A 14th-century European chapel sticks out of the facade of a Japanese hotel.

Narrow passes cut out of mountains surround the medieval capital of Japan.

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

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

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

White beach sands made of the remains of tiny, star shaped creatures.

Museum showcases Japanese sexuality and some amazing ocean views.

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

This sawtooth mountain range still bears the strangely lovely marks of its history as a medieval quarry.

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

This retro underwater observation tower would make the perfect lair for a sea-loving villain.

A remarkable lava formation encloses a line of Buddhist statues that can't be accurately counted, according to local mythology.

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

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

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

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

A disconnected rotary phone for "calling" lost loved ones offered a unique way of dealing with grief in disaster-stricken Japan.

Serving you alcohol with a side of insanity. Also, costumes!

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

This subterranean spot might be the epitome of Japan's baroque, retro coffee houses.

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

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

Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

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