Places claresmith Wants to Go

Nope, not the one in France. The only officially-recognized reproduction of Monet’s garden in Giverny is located in a remote corner of Japan.

A train ride to the middle of nowhere gives its passengers some of the most iconic views of Japan's seasons.

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

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

One of Kyoto's oldest food establishments has supplied soba noodles to temple priests and the Imperial Palace.

This tiny museum hidden above a restaurant houses thousands of modern and traditional kites.

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

This bridge is so steep it looks like a rollercoaster.

Burial mound for the ears and noses of thousands of mutilated Korean soldiers.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

This Japanese national treasure was originally built in 593.

Sail in for a ’dam good slice.

One of Amsterdam's narrowest houses is located right across the canal from its widest.

A unique collection of gilded age mechanical pianos.

This city square is home to Amsterdam's oldest church and a statue honoring Dutch sex workers.

This unattributed sculpture in Amsterdam is hiding in plain sight.

An ancient passage filled with stalls selling used books, once frequented by Vincent Van Gogh.

This 22-floor tower's Skydeck offers panoramic views of Amsterdam.

Seven mini rowhouses fill the gap between 54 and 70 Westerstraat.