In a land far, far away, in parts of the world considered uninhabitable for most, lie the prettiest of settlements known to man. From a volcanic crater in Japan to a hill-top monastery in India, from the oasis town of Peru to the molehill of Australia, natives in these parts of the world have survived by adapting themselves to their natural surroundings, completely hidden from the rest of the world.

Welcome to paradise.

1. Aogashima, Japan



Located in the Philippine sea and administered by Tokyo, Aogashima is perhaps the only inhabited volcanic island there is. Living on this 8.75 sq. km island is nothing short of magic. Even though the last proper volcano that erupted here was in the 1780s, living on this island means a constant threat to life. Currently, it's home to 170-200 people.

3. Phugtal Monastery, India



Oh, the beauty of India! The Phugtal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa is one of the most secluded monasteries in the world. Founded in the 12th century and made from mud and timber, it is located at the entrance to a cave on a cliff face in the south-eastern Zanskar region in Ladakh. It is also known to be one of the only Buddhist monasteries that can still be reached by foot. A stone tablet at the monastery is a reminder of the stay of Alexander Csoma de Kőrös at Phuktal between 1826-1827.

5. Gásadalur Village, Denmark



Located on the west side of Faroe Islands, the village of Gásadalur looks exactly like a scene from Game of Thrones. Only 16, very lucky, residents get to enjoy this stunning beauty of mother Earth.