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

If you forgot something to read during your trip to Tokyo, this hostel has you covered.

Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry.

This bridge is so steep it looks like a rollercoaster.

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

You can still find treasures on the pebbly beaches of one of the world's oldest jade-producing areas.

The small candy-colored ride is the last rooftop Ferris wheel in Tokyo.

This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

The tallest city hall in the world offers an excellent bento box.

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

This tiny museum hidden above a restaurant houses thousands of modern and traditional kites.

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

The divine septet of Japanese fortune gods are rendered in 1,000 year old wood at this peaceful site.

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

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

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

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

The largest volcanic caldera in Japan holds an entire city in its maw.

These Japanese gardens are blankets of light for dark winter nights.

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

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

Closed for decades, this strange symbol of Japan's Expo '70 has finally opened its psychedelic insides to the public.