Places viv157 Wants to Go

A museum housed in a stunning Rockefeller-funded medical institute building from the 1930s.

One of the only two archaeological sites in Japan to feature petroglyphs, which some believe to be a long-lost writing system of the gods.

The former site of Fukuoka’s legendary ramen joint works hard to guide customers to the “original” original.

This iconic “station bento” comes in an earthenware pot you can take home and repurpose.

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

Every summer, this shrine sets up a tiny drinking fountain reserved for thirsty apians.

Model trains whizz around an extensive room-sized diorama of Kyoto City.

This 400-year-old noodle joint was once frequented by a fox-turned-monk, according to local folklore.

This atmospheric pre-war building is home to one of the few manually operated elevators left in Tokyo.

This is no ordinary coffee chain outlet—it's an architectural masterpiece.

A natural wonder with mythological ties to the local Ainu tradition.

A trio of keyhole-shaped burial mounds restored to their ancient glory.

An open-air museum exhibiting a total of 52 century-old buildings, recreating Hokkaido’s “pioneer village.”

This unassuming office building is home to what was once the world's largest pendulum clock.

This massive, Edo Period, coin-shaped sand painting is believed to be a source of great luck.

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

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

A gorgeous, nostalgic café housed in a lofty old warehouse, lit only by petroleum lamps.

This frescoed ancient burial mound is a colorful window into China’s influence in early Japan.

Over 40 species of fern cover the canyon walls of this lush green bowl, cut off from the bustle of the world by a cave entrance.

Luminaries from Albert Einstein to John Lennon once had a cup of coffee at Tokyo's oldest café.

A hidden gallery exhibits intricate, decades-old Buddhist reliefs.

The world's largest permanent architectural projection display entertains audiences nightly with 28-story light shows.

This quirky collection of furniture also happens to be a public art installation.