The mysterious, fantastical woodland inspiration for "The Lord of the Rings."

One of the few remaining casualties of the London Blitz, this destroyed church has become an enchanting public garden.

This ornate Victorian marketplace was the setting for Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron in the Harry Potter films.

This astonishingly geometric cave has inspired everyone from Jules Verne to Pink Floyd.

Existing for more than four centuries, the last of Hakone’s historic teahouses serves a sweet, mold-based rice drink.

Japan's largest and oldest annual procession of floats, begun in 869.

This incredible mountainside temple is home to intriguing statues of demon-like creatures.

According to one legend, this bridge was crafted after monkeys formed a body-bridge across the gorge.

"The Dance of Fools" is Japan's largest dance festival.

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

One of the world's largest ancient burial mounds.

450 dead and frozen fish, proudly on display in Japan.

Ever needed a chocolate-filled crepe in the wee hours of the morning?

It's bad manners to eat and drink on the subways of Tokyo, unless the train is this bar. 

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

The giant figure on the back of this turtle-shaped temple actually hides a memorial pendulum.

A calico cat named Tama was the wildly popular Super Station Master at this train stop in southeast Japan.

Losing lottery tickets are deposited at this shrine in hopes of better luck.

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

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

Tokyo’s only Ainu restaurant serves Indigenous food from northern Japan.