These passages carved from the Antarctic ice hold strange shrines to the harsh southernmost climes.

One of the most extreme deserts in the world, these snow-free valleys harbor life, despite the hostile environment.

Considered the most remote point in the entire world.

One of only two civilian settlements in the desolate lands of chilly Antarctica.

Southern Ocean waters and glacial forces transform the Antarctic ice into these stunning bridges and caves.

Antarctica's bustling metropolis, originally established by Richard E. Byrd.

This abandoned Antarctic research station is a Soviet ghost frozen in time.

At the point of oceanic inaccessibility, you can't get farther from dry land without leaving the planet.

The remains of a doomed Antarctic plane, buried beneath layers of ice and snow, await those willing to do a bit of digging.

The best place to send your postcards home from Antarctica.

Naked scientists race around the pole in the frigid cold to try to join Antarctica's exclusive 300 Club.

The world's largest neutrino telescope searches for secrets of the universe at the South Pole.

An abandoned whaling station on an active volcano offers hot springs in Antarctica, surrounded by ruined giants of industry.

Natural time capsule containing an alien ecosystem.

Now home to nothing but a weather station and a landing strip, a group of enslaved people were marooned on this tiny island for 15 years.

Scattered ruins and a tiny cemetery are all that remain of a failed attempt to colonize the inhospitable Desolate Islands.

French scientists make up the majority of the few humans to occupy this remote island in the extreme southern Indian Ocean.

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

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

Japanese island famous for poison gas and fluffy bunnies.

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

Go through the looking glass in Tokyo's Wonderland-themed shop.

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

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