Places mathildefournier2008 Wants to Go

This ancient, tranquil shrine is the birthplace of ema prayer boards and the Ushi-no-toki-mairi curse ritual.

Hundreds of statues of Buddha’s disciples meditating, napping, sneezing, and picking their noses.

The largest seated Buddha statue in Japan is the centerpiece of an abandoned complex in a quiet, seaside town.

You can receive a blessing for your electronics at this Shinto shrine near Akihabara.

Unbeknownst to many, an ancient burial mound hides in plain sight in Ueno Park.

Overlooked by many, this tiny sacred island in Ueno Park only opens to the public every 12 days.

Row through this enchanted narrow chasm whose stones are said to resemble dragon scales.

Marvel at the world's largest collection of jellyfish, including more than 10,000 undulating moon jellies.

A serene mountaintop temple complex featuring one big, bronze Buddha.

According to local legend, anyone who falls on these temple steps will turn into a cat.

A stretch of the Iwai River that features beautiful rocky cliffs, rapids, and flying dango.

An isolated "phantom bridge" doomed to crumble into ruin.

The first Venetian glass exhibit in Japan and one of the largest in the world.

Thousands of foxes are said to gather and parade across the neighborhood of Ōji on New Year’s Eve.

A pair of rivaling shrines dedicated to Lady Oiwa, the most famous vengeful ghost in Japan.

A lone torii arch stands on a coastal rock where a deity is said to have landed.

Haunted by a giant white snake, this pond is said to bring the rain and pubic hair.

Visitors to this temple are greeted by a massive collection of wooden dolls said to bring good fortune.

These tiny pine-covered islands have inspired art and poetry for centuries.

The centuries-old cobblestones of a feudal highway remain in the woods of Hakone.

The former home of queer novelist Yoshiya Nobuko memorializes her contributions to modern-day manga.

This giant statue pays homage to this temple's furry residents who keep the landscape pristine.

High in the trees or suspended between cables, these surreal structures are the works of a unique Japanese architect.

Stretching for 22 miles, the world's longest tree-lined avenue dates back to the early 17th-century.