A small shrine dedicated to a god of lightning and electronics.

These tiny pine-covered islands have inspired art and poetry for centuries.

These turtle-shaped concrete stepping stones provide a unique river crossing in central Kyoto.

Nestled amid the trees lies an abandoned funicular railway that dates back to the 1920s.

The former home of queer novelist Yoshiya Nobuko memorializes her contributions to modern-day manga.

The "largest bathroom stall in the world" offers a unique pit-stop experience.

A bovine sumo match in which both bulls live to fight another day.

The seat of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom has survived numerous fires and wars over the centuries.

A cursed torii gate still stands on the edge of Haneda Airport, decades after its shrine's relocation.

Is this cat asleep or just pretending?

The hometown of a beloved manga artist created a treasure hunt for his popular ghostly characters.

The site of a famous samurai duel.

The remains of the vast manor that once belonged to Lord Kira, villain in the 47 Ronin story, is now a shrine dedicated to the incident.

This giant statue pays homage to this temple's furry residents who keep the landscape pristine.

Running through lush forests and across the Tadami River, this train line offers breathtaking views of rural Japan.

The last remaining predreadnought battleship in the world has been a museum for nearly a century.

Museum dedicated to the largest battleship ever built.

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

Perhaps the world's cheapest vending machines.

A culturally significant rural temple in the beautiful mountains of Itoshima.

This historic castle is one of the oldest and most impressive in all of Japan.

Its collection distills more than 60 years of pop culture in Japan, from Godzilla to Hulk Hogan.

The largest archaeological site from the Yayoi period.

Only recently added to the shrine, this googly-eyed snail demon of unknown origin is said to have eye-healing powers.