Places fkitchens Wants to Go

A mysterious set of tunnels carved in the hills of rural northern Kyushu.

This bridge is so steep it looks like a rollercoaster.

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.

You can still find treasures on the pebbly beaches of one of the world's oldest jade-producing areas.

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

The tallest city hall in the world offers an excellent bento box.

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

A flight of this "ghost staircase" has 40 steps on the way up, but only 39 steps on the way down.

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

It's bad manners to eat and drink on the subways of Tokyo, unless the train is this bar. 

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

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

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

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

Dedicated to the armor and weapons used by the legendary Japanese warriors.

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

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

An oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Established over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this day.

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

The Hanshin Expressway goes right through its 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

This sawtooth mountain range still bears the strangely lovely marks of its history as a medieval quarry.

Enormous underground chamber built to detect 'ghost particles' of the universe.