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.

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

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

Founded over a thousand years ago, this shrine is said to be built on the site of a warlord's harem prison.

The third-tallest statue in the world depicts the "Buddha of Infinite Light," complete with observation deck in his chest.

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

Giant sand sculptures of famous people and places are on display near the Tottori sand dunes.

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

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

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

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

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.

Historical Japanese-Dutch relations are honored with haunted rides and flower fields in this replica town.

This pair of small sea rocks has been "wed" using rope and ancient Shinto tradition.

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

Japanese island famous for poison gas and fluffy bunnies.

Hanging over one of Japan's "hidden valleys," these vine bridges must be remade every three years.

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

Experience park where visitors are told to expect the unexpected.

A Japanese concept restaurant that feels like a party thrown by the monsters in your closet.

Every autumn, this hillside is ablaze with red summer cypress.

Once the most densely populated place in the world, this island is now a ghost town.

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