The oldest surviving stele in Japan is a personal dedication from a monk to his late mother.

“Historical” markers commemorating the sites of fictional events depicted in a popular jidaigeki novel series.

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

This monument gives insight into how lost children were found in Edo-period Tokyo.

A museum in Hokkaido is housed in a former high school. On its grounds a marker shares the awakening of a man who longs to be reunited with his soulmate in the fictional world of Kcymaerxthaere.

Every spring, this walkway outside the Japan Mint turns into a cherry blossom tunnel.

Huts like this were once a hub for the female divers who collected pearls and seafood off Japan's coasts.

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

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

These Japanese ruins have been brought back to life with elaborately recreated buildings.

This western-themed amusement park is host to a large number of decaying animatronic cowboys.

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

Tell this pair of "love-inviting" cats in Ginza your romantic hopes.

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

These wondrously illuminated caverns extend under the mountains of the Fukushima Prefecture.

A small island with no monkeys but plenty of military ruins.

Ever needed a chocolate-filled crepe in the wee hours of the morning?

Existing for more than four centuries, the last of Hakone’s historic teahouses serves a sweet, mold-based rice drink.

Rows of stone statues are dressed up to mourn children that are lost before birth.

A calico cat named Tama was the wildly popular Super Station Master at this train stop in southeast Japan.

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

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.