Mesmerizing and polished, State Guest House Akasaka Palace stands up to its nickname - “the Versailles of Japan”. Paved with white marble, the neo-baroque building comes highly recommended by travelers around the world and is recognized to be a hidden treasure among Tokyo's concrete jungle. Stretching out to about 123 acres (50 hectares), Akasaka Palace is the venue for spectacular diplomatic parties welcoming foreign presidents and monarchs coming to Japan. The palace was designated a National Treasure of Japan in 2009.

Photograph provided by State Guest House, Cabinet Office