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.

For hundreds of years, participants in this Japanese festival have been making babies cry to ward off demons.

Elaborate series of tunnels where traces of mass suicide are still visible.

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

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

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

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

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

This retro underwater observation tower would make the perfect lair for a sea-loving villain.

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

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

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

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

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

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

An unlikely hit, this museum is dedicated to the inventor of instant ramen and cup noodles.

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

A disconnected rotary phone for "calling" lost loved ones offered a unique way of dealing with grief in disaster-stricken Japan.

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

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

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

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.

A real-life replica of a home from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved movie "My Neighbor Totoro."