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

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

You can still find treasures on the pebbly beaches of one of the world's oldest jade-producing areas.

Founded over a thousand years ago, this shrine is said to be built on the site of a warlord's harem prison.

The small candy-colored ride is the last rooftop Ferris wheel in Tokyo.

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

This town near Nagasaki is flecked with fruit-flavored bus stops.

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

This tiny museum hidden above a restaurant houses thousands of modern and traditional kites.

Cabaret where the show girls are all androids, and the patrons couldn't be more pleased.

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

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

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

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Giant sand sculptures of famous people and places are on display near the Tottori sand dunes.

Japan's longest-running music festival takes place on an isolated butterfly-shaped island.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

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

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

White beach sands made of the remains of tiny, star shaped creatures.

This former factory turned private museum contains surreal and creepy artwork created by Robert Y.

These Japanese gardens are blankets of light for dark winter nights.