Places michaeljlara Wants to Go

A mile-long trail of pottery culture, full of clay pipes and lucky cats, including one that’s 12.5 feet tall.

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

A shrine dedicated to the sacred white snakes of Iwakuni, whose albinism has been passed down for generations.

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

The site of a famous samurai duel.

Museum dedicated to the largest battleship ever built.

The seat of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom has survived numerous fires and wars over the centuries.

Running through lush forests and across the Tadami River, this train line offers breathtaking views of rural Japan.

One of the bloodiest and most important battles in Japanese history is recreated with kitschy concrete statues.

Tatar Russian in origin, the largest mosque in Japan is now an Ottoman-style Turkish culture center.

This massive, beautifully-lit underground quarry leaves visitors in awe.

This giant seated Bhudda of Healing dates to the 1780s.

Located in a remote mountain valley in Yamagata Prefecture, these hot springs have attracted bathers for over 450 years.

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

View Japan's most historic city from a cyberpunk walkway suspended 150 feet above the ground.

The floats housed in this hall are more than 100 years old, and are brought out for an annual celebration.

"The Dance of Fools" is Japan's largest dance festival.

High in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture, a magnificent library designed by a world-famous architect.

One of the world's largest ancient burial mounds.

This incredible mountainside temple is home to intriguing statues of demon-like creatures.

What's believed to be the country's first shrine is, in Shintō mythology, the annual meeting place of the gods.

The third-tallest statue in the world depicts the "Buddha of Infinite Light," complete with observation deck in his chest.

The giant figure on the back of this turtle-shaped temple actually hides a memorial pendulum.