Museum of Aeronautical Sciences

Japan's first aviation museum parks itself in the best possible spot: right beside Narita Airport's main runway, where its observation deck puts arriving jumbo jets close enough to read the registration. Built on the motto of aviation culture to 'see, know, touch and enjoy', the halls hold real aircraft and detailed replicas — including a walk-through section of a Boeing 747 — with flight simulators that let you fly the approach you've been watching. For aircraft lovers it's a pilgrimage; for everyone else it's the rare museum where the exhibits keep landing outside the window.