A long-worshipped mountain, considered a "power spot" and suspected to be an ancient pyramid by some.

The lesser-known eastern counterpart to Kyoto’s famous fox shrine.

A colorful, architectural experiment designed to increase a resident's longevity.

The headquarters of one of Japan’s leading astronomy research institutions features several historic observatory facilities and a 2,000-year-old burial mound.

Iconic Japanese movies were made at this forgotten film-studio-site-turned-mall.

A network of ancient tunnels and vaulted chambers with mystical Buddhist reliefs, built for ascetic training.

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.

One in a pair of subterranean caves created by an ancient eruption of Mount Fuji.

A 70-foot-deep ice cave formed by lava from Mt. Fuji on the edge of Japan's "Suicide Forest." 

This narrow cave is revered in Japan as the womb of Mount Fuji.

Open-air museum with an elaborate sculpture garden, stretching for over 70,000 square-meters.

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

A giant gorilla guardian of the neighborhood, warning people to drive safely.

This subway station is named after a local legend about supernatural dancing cats.

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.

Three rare “road guardian” stelae with reliefs of the Tengu can be found in the town of Naruse.

More than 100 antique vending machines housed in a used tire shop sell everything from candy to sake and ramen.

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

This quaint mountain pass with centuries-old cobblestones is known as Japan's steepest slope.

Reportedly 1,400 years old, this may be the first of the Fiji Mermaids.

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

One of Japan's most famous sights, the bridge was originally built in 1673.