Places hapichapi Wants to Go

A deserted island in southwest Japan that once sheltered persecuted Christians.

A statue of a mischievous raccoon towers over this city park.

A collection of more than 1,000 teddies from nearly any profession.

One of the world's largest tanks mimics the experience of watching rare whale sharks, giant rays, and deep sea creatures from the ocean floor.

"Bug Bug" Land, a natural park for beetle watching, still hasn't fully recovered from Fukushima's nuclear disaster.

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

A Japanese train station built around a 700-year-old camphor tree.

This sprawling scenic burial ground is the final resting place of Japan's last shogun.

450 dead and frozen fish, proudly on display in Japan.

A network of sandy streets lined with verdant fukugi trees weaves throughout this tiny seaside town.

A semi-abandoned replica of Prince Edward Island's Avonlea—in Japan.

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

A 59-ft. robot statue looks over the citizens of earthquake-ravaged Kobe.

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.

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

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

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

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

Japan's largest area of "pink moss" turns the hillside bright pink every spring.

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

This ruined Japanese stripclub sits half burnt to the ground.

A remarkable lava formation encloses a line of Buddhist statues that can't be accurately counted, according to local mythology.

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

An astounding annual light display honors the victims of one of Japan's most devastating earthquakes.