A once-luxurious, now abandoned hotel in the Italian Alps.

The idyllic island where the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau spent “the happiest time of his life.”

Spiral alpine structure provides an alternative experience of viewing the Matterhorn.

This lovely little bridge hidden in a Switzerland gorge is essentially a fairytale.

This historic hydroelectric power plant in Japan has been preserved and is open to the public.

A dilapidated amusement park with a million-dollar view.

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.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

Bioluminescent firefly squid light up this Japanese fishing port.

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

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

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

The demolished ruins of a poorly located Japanese Love Hotel.

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

This “peasant café” in the middle of Tokyo re-creates the atmosphere of the Japanese countryside.

This sprawling scenic burial ground is the final resting place of Japan's last shogun.

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

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

An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

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

Cabaret where the show girls are all androids, and the patrons couldn't be more pleased.

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