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

Home to the world's oldest wooden building.

A gorgeous, nostalgic café housed in a lofty old warehouse, lit only by petroleum lamps.

A train station decorated by a giant replica of an ancient Shakōki-dogū figurine.

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

The “bridge of return” is haunted by a myriad of legends, from ghosts to demons to nuptial superstitions.

This giant fashion model is one of the most beloved symbols of Nagoya.

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

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

Perhaps the world's cheapest vending machines.

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

This village is home to the largest existing settlement of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Japan.

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

Surreal giant face-pillars welcome visitors from across the globe to this hotel.

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

More than 300 years old, Kyoto's historic "teahouse" still operates as an invitation-only geisha club.

Fans line up at the crack of dawn for a slurpy bowl of deliciousness at this noodle counter inside a factory.

This garden located inside a bamboo forest once belonged to a famous Japanese actor.

Have a soak at this retro bathhouse, where you will find Japan's first electric bath, tiling from Spain, and wood carvings representing the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.

This ancient shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years since the eighth century.

Japan's largest and oldest annual procession of floats, begun in 869.

This brothel-turned-restaurant features plenty of surprises and elaborate, extravagant architecture.

The first location of the eventual video game giant.

This 400-year-old sweet shop serves a delicacy some have described as "edible incense."