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

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

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

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

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

A 70-foot-deep ice cave formed by lava from Mt. Fuji on the edge of Japan's "Suicide Forest." 

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

It is said that coins washed in the waters here will miraculously multiply.

A theme park made of glass, from the gleaming books on the shelves to the crystal fish in the mirror lake.

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.

A dilapidated dock tells the story of Titanic's missed arrival.

Order scoops of pandan, lychee, and black sesame at this family-run institution.

The one-stop shop for all of your superhero (or evil arch-nemesis) needs.

New York's oldest magic store.

A terrific purveyor of natural history objects and curios.

The giant scales in this museum can still tell if someone is one of the devil's brides just by weight.

A floating cat sanctuary on an Amsterdam canal.

Statue of death tucked in the University of Medicine courtyard.

This museum inside Amsterdam's largest cemetery explores how people deal with death.

Inside this former medieval prison is a collection of objects designed to inflict unbelievable pain and suffering on the human body and mind.

The bronzed skull of a beheaded traitor was affixed to the city gate in the 17th century.

This recently restored crypt was once plagued by liquefying coffins and exploding caskets.

Medical history with an amazing, if frighting, collection of wax diseases on display.