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

Weighing nearly 7 tons, this massive sculpture was carved out of 500-year-old wood and decorated with thousands of jewels.

A lonely chimpanzee lures you into a narrow alley leading to this hidden shrine.

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

Emerging from the sidewalk, this sculpture of a whale commemorates the importance of baleen in traditional Japanese puppetry.

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.

Rubbing salt on this small stone dog is said to make wishes come true.

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

This water goblin statue represents a 19th-century urban legend about a haunted canal that became a Japanese idiom.

This quirky collection of furniture also happens to be a public art installation.

An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

People from around the world visit the shrine of Japan’s legendarily loyal dog.

A series of smile-themed sculptures created by artists from all over the world fill this Tokyo shopping district.

According to local legend, an ancient serial killer nicknamed the “Hag” once haunted this pond.

In Asakusa, Tokyo's very own Walk of Fame.

This “grave” memorializes the 53 rakugo stories that were once banned by the national censorship.

An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

Home to a collection of drums from around the world that allow visitors to play a tune.

Rumored to be a giant robot in disguise, this colossal chef has been the beloved symbol of Tokyo’s kitchenware district for decades.

This sculpture bears a tragic backstory that may have inspired a hauntingly beautiful children's song.

The origin of this bizarre, ghostly idol is a local mystery, even to the temple it calls home.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

This gnome sculpture and his wonderous hat forces train passengers to do a double-take.

A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.