A temple made famous by Japanese Buddhist monks who sacrificed themselves at sea.

The site where the famous city gate once stood, now in the middle of a playground.

Access to this hidden site of a 14th-century mass suicide is prohibited, unless it is to pray for the dead.

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

Rice balls symbolize fate and relationship at this adorable shrine, which was once dedicated to the Buddhist Devil.

This often-overlooked monument was crafted in the shape of the iconic samurai coin to honor an Edo-period mint.

This 24-hour vending machine serves up homemade treats inspired by the local Japanese snow monkeys.

A park built around the legend of a clam-loving giant who created a monumental midden.

It is believed that this Buddhist temple stands right on the gateway to the underworld.

The birthplace of Japanese coinage.

This park boasts a unusual collection of curious monuments from around the world, from Micronesia to Antarctica.

This massive, Edo Period, coin-shaped sand painting is believed to be a source of great luck.

The oldest academic institution in Japan provides a glimpse of university life during the days of the samurai.

This ancient burial cave along a roadside is also home to several Buddhist sculptures.

A wooden prison doesn't sound like a good idea, yet this abandoned 1950s detention center still stands today.

This frescoed ancient burial mound is a colorful window into China’s influence in early Japan.

A shrine dedicated to the sacred white snakes of Iwakuni, whose albinism has been passed down for generations.

This small Japanese street is lined with figures, sculptures and a shrine dedicated to frogs.

Legend has it that centuries ago, a ghost once frequented this candy shop to feed her still-living baby.

Inaccessible by foot, Japan's most secluded train station sits in the middle of nowhere.

Tatar Russian in origin, the largest mosque in Japan is now an Ottoman-style Turkish culture center.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Losing lottery tickets are deposited at this shrine in hopes of better luck.

This abandoned, spaceship-like building is home to a museum so unpopular that it has been put on hiatus for over two decades.