Deep within the forests of Tochigi Prefecture lies a place where myth and mystery echo through sacred halls. At first glance, Nikkō Tōshō-gū looks like any other stunning Shinto-Buddhist shrine—gilded, intricate, layered with centuries of craftsmanship. But step inside the Yakushi-dō Hall, look up, and clap your hands just once. The dragon will respond.

Deep in the heart of East Kalimantan, along the mighty Mahakam River, the Dayak Bahau people perform an ancestral ritual that merges the eerie with the divine. Known as the Hudoq Dance, this centuries-old performance embodies a prayer for abundant crops, protection from pests, and a harmonious link with the spirit world. Through elaborate wooden masks and trembling leaves that flutter with every movement, the dance tells a story of survival, spiritual belief, and indigenous identity.