Imagine a place where the Earth hisses, belches sulfur, and constantly exhales white plumes of steam into the sky. A place where black eggs are boiled in volcanic springs and eaten to gain extra years of life. Welcome to Owakudani—one of Japan’s most unusual and naturally hostile locations, and one that feels like it sits right at the edge of the spirit world.

Some places don’t need grand introductions — they just need to be seen. Emerald Lake in British Columbia is one of those places. Nestled deep in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, this glacial lake glows with a turquoise hue so intense, it almost looks photoshopped. But it’s real, oh-so-real — and it’s calling your name.