Places rubysage Wants to Go

A tiny kissaten coffeeshop with expertly crafted coffee in an antique setting.

Existing for more than four centuries, the last of Hakone’s historic teahouses serves a sweet, mold-based rice drink.

Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

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

This giant two-tier celebration cake serves as a befitting advert for the confectionery college it sits on top of.

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

Cute manhole covers commemorate the hometown of the real-life Ash Ketchum who created Pokémon.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Open 24 hours, this self-serve sandwich spot specializes in egg salad sandwiches in a land that takes them very seriously.

This airy five-floor library and museum houses thousands of books and rotating exhibits on Japanese monsters and anime.

This isolated Japanese mountain village untouched by time showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.

This traditional Japanese-style house doubles as one of James Turrell's colorful works of art.

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

The oldest academic institution in Japan provides a glimpse of university life during the days of the samurai.

Weave yourself into over a thousand years of history at this textiles museum through demonstrations and a hands-on hataori experience on a traditional loom.

A collection of nostalgic items from the Showa era with an exhibit on the local ghost story of the Snow Woman.

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

According to one legend, this bridge was crafted after monkeys formed a body-bridge across the gorge.

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