A Japanese train station built around a 700-year-old camphor tree.

A Japanese shrine to dolls.

One of the largest producers of MSG in the world welcomes visitors to its Kawasaki factory with an albino panda named Aji-Kun.

Shrine dedicated to boars that is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

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

A sobering scientific reminder of the human damage caused by the advent of the nuclear age.

The iconic castle that withstood a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has become a symbol of resilience.

This giant bronze Buddha, the third largest in Japan, is the last in an ill-fated series of statues.

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

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.

Crawl through the hole in the middle of this stone to break off a bad relationship or initiate a good one.

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

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

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

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

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 steaming, boiling hellscape sources Hokkaido's thermal baths.

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

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

This ancient temple is set up to take you on a pilgrimage of self.

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

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