Mythical beasts symbolizing the city of Tokyo guard a historic bridge.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

It's bad manners to eat and drink on the subways of Tokyo, unless the train is this bar. 

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

One of the world's largest tanks mimics the experience of watching rare whale sharks, giant rays, and deep sea creatures from the ocean floor.

Dedicated to the armor and weapons used by the legendary Japanese warriors.

The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.

A flight of this "ghost staircase" has 40 steps on the way up, but only 39 steps on the way down.

A railway station takeout shop sells boxed meals in containers shaped like trains and snowmen that hold the country’s abundant regional delicacies.

Once a black market electronics marketplace, now an otaku shopper's paradise.

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.

Colloquially known as “piss alley,” this narrow street filled with tiny bars and barbecue stands looks like it was pulled straight out of “Blade Runner.”

Watch out for the two-story Godzilla made out of tires.

When this clock strikes a certain time, puppets showcase a story of life in Edo Japan.

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.