Picture this: a hammock strung between two palms, waves gently lapping at the sand, the scent of lemongrass in the air, and your only worry being whether to order a mango smoothie or a coconut shake next. Welcome to Thailand’s little slice of tropical heaven—Koh Samui.

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.