Japan

Tokyo's contemporary art galleries are scattered across the city. For a snapshot of what's happening, go to Kiyosumi, a 10- to 15-minute cab ride from Ginza....more

This complex is less a museum than a whole day out. Earthquakes, firebombing, and rampant development have left few examples of old architecture in Tokyo, but...more

The Silver Temple is almost as popular as its golden cousin, but many aficionados consider it far superior. Breathtakingly modern though half a millennium old,...more

Hakone has hot springs, cool mountain air, and outstanding views of Japan's most famous peak, Mount Fuji. It's also teeming with day-trippers on the weekends,...more

If the relentless concrete and expressways get to be too much, take a 12-minute walk from Shimbashi Station to historic Hamarikyu Garden. Originally built in...more

On Sundays, this district of street fashion is crowded with wildly dressed kids who congregate near the entrance to the beautiful Meiji Shrine. Expect goths,...more

Opened in 1979, this private contemporary art museum is set in the former home of the Hara family. The house itself is very unusual, a Bauhaus-inspired...more

A former capital of Japan (1192–1333), Kamakura boasts 117 temples and 44 shrines as well as wooded hills, beaches, and the added advantage of being only...more

Built in the 17th century for an imperial prince, Katsura Rikyu is widely thought to be one of the best examples of how Japanese residential design masterfully...more