A sobering scientific reminder of the human damage caused by the advent of the nuclear age.

Turn around and stick your head between your legs for the best view of this tree-covered sandbar.

Though technically an illegal structure, this eclectic DIY apartment complex is beloved by its residents.

The iconic castle that withstood a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has become a symbol of resilience.

These Japanese ruins have been brought back to life with elaborately recreated buildings.

This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

This historic hydroelectric power plant in Japan has been preserved and is open to the public.

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

This little known mountain has claimed four times as many lives as Everest.

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

A remote and slightly overgrown park filled with replicas of world landmarks.

"Bug Bug" Land, a natural park for beetle watching, still hasn't fully recovered from Fukushima's nuclear disaster.

An eerie maze of industrial factories looks like something out of a dystopian sci-fi.

A thick blanket of beautiful pampas grass cloaks this unique Japanese landscape.

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

Japan's largest and oldest annual procession of floats, begun in 869.

This exacting restaurant will charge a fine for every grain of rice you've left behind.

Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry.

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

Shrine dedicated to boars that is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.

More tin toys than you can shake a clapping monkey at.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

A Japanese cat island also populated by the descendants of a band of banished samurai.

A derelict New Zealand-themed amusement park in Japan.