At a museum dedicated to the millenia-old rites and art of Buddhism, the Buddha's reputed tooth is held as an object of worship.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

This strange mural located in the Ueno station is filled with traditional Japanese symbolism.

A 59-ft. robot statue looks over the citizens of earthquake-ravaged Kobe.

This massive section of quay destroyed by an earthquake is preserved to remember the past.

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

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

Perhaps the world's cheapest vending machines.

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

The Hanshin Expressway goes right through its 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.

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

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

A 14th-century European chapel sticks out of the facade of a Japanese hotel.

An unlikely hit, this museum is dedicated to the inventor of instant ramen and cup noodles.

A strange tribute to all the fallen souls of war.

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

This little replica of Lady Liberty provides a bit of NYC in a Japanese city.

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

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

Transport yourself to the 1980s era of video games at this themed restaurant and bar.

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.”

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.

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

Established over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this day.