Abandoned Japanese ghost town gives a glimpse into what our own metropolises may leave behind.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This mesmerizingly colorful pond looks like a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Twelve hundred stone carvings guard this off-the-beaten-path Buddhist temple.

Elaborate series of tunnels where traces of mass suicide are still visible.

This mountain's identity is stuck somewhere between a nightmare and a scenic tourist attraction.

A strange tribute to all the fallen souls of war.

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

A network of sandy streets lined with verdant fukugi trees weaves throughout this tiny seaside town.

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

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

A dilapidated amusement park with a million-dollar view.

Ruins and statues dot the landscape of this tiny island rich with royal history.

A giant rooftop ride with unbeatable views of Matsuyama city, the nearby mountain ranges, and the Inland Sea.

Reportedly 1,400 years old, this may be the first of the Fiji Mermaids.

A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

One of Japan's most famous sights, the bridge was originally built in 1673.

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