“Beauty is everywhere — you only have to look to see it.” - Bob Ross

Another one of Japan’s mysteries formed in or around a hot spring town, the Blue Pond’s water contains sulfur and aluminum from the rivers that feed it. Yet, what makes it blue isn’t the minerals themselves, it is the way the light refracts against those minerals and our eye catches the color. This difference between the human eye, and a camera’s sensor was fascinating.

Sometimes ‘for the gram’ isn’t so bad. The flower parks that have been meticulously planted and cultivated in otherwise remote parts of Hokkaido don’t have to exist. They are a different type of tourist destination - not one of culture, or history, or of the Earth’s own making. Human hands arranged these fields, and the result is still absolutely gorgeous.

Otherworldly is the best term to describe the Noboribetsu Jigokudani Valley, otherwise known as “Hell Valley.” The hillside walls look straight out of the Martian landscape, while the valley floor is a mixture of turbulent steam, sulfur, and other pale or charred rocks. This site is preserved, a spiritual feeder for the surrounding villages’ hot spring baths.

There are parade floats, and then there are Japanese parade floats. Held annually at the beginning of August, Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri is a grand celebration of myths and legends. What if you aren’t able to be there for the festival itself though? Aomori has you covered with a museum dedicated to showcasing the wonderful works of art that are emblematic of the city’s culture.

While the official name for this archeological find is the San'nai-Maruyama iseki Special Historical Site, the significance of it comes from its age. This particular site is dated to around 3,900 to 2,900 BC. Yeah, that’s 5,000 years ago! It is the largest such site to be discovered in Japan, a glimpse into a different kind of human civilization.

In our ever connected world, things which were once underground have been pulled up to the surface. Car culture in Japan is taking on this feeling. More and more events that used to feel exclusive are becoming tourist attractions. Daikoku Futo, as the premier parking lot just outside of Tokyo, has always been a place for locals to hang out in between night cruises. Now it’s something of a spectacle.