Places deriverative Wants to Go

The northernmost of the 12 surviving feudal castles of Japan is known as a cherry blossom viewing spot.

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

A remote and slightly overgrown park filled with replicas of world landmarks.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

Considered the oldest intact wooden structure in Tokyo Prefecture, this impressive temple was built in 1407.

In 806, Kobo Daishi began meditating on Mount Misen. The Buddhist monk lit this holy fire, which has been kept burning for 1,200 years.

This enormous "shamoji" means more to the people of Miyajima than just a way getting rice onto a plate.

This Japanese national treasure was originally built in 593.

Japan’s only surviving winding tower.

The former site of Fukuoka’s legendary ramen joint works hard to guide customers to the “original” original.

It is rumored that if you spot this little golden frog hiding in plain sight, good luck will come your way.

A bizarre, tuberculosis sanatorium-themed café moonlighting as an underground art gallery.

In the oldest zen temple stands a descendant of the very tree that introduced tea to Japanese culture.

An incredible collection of rare, well-preserved fish fossils hidden in a university campus

This quaint teahouse was founded in 1846 as a samurai’s failed attempt to avenge his brother

These medieval wooden bridge pillars appeared out of nowhere in the aftermath of a huge earthquake.

This quirky little private museum is home to more than a thousand stones, carved by nature, that resemble human faces.

An eccentric castle with snake protectors and spectacular views of Beppu.

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

Hokkaido's largest music box museum, featuring music boxes that are unique in Japan and the world.

Celebrating the famous Nebuta festival of Aomori and showcasing its huge papier-mâché floats.

These Japanese ruins have been brought back to life with elaborately recreated buildings.

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

Centuries-old bridges grown from tangled roots.