Haunted house kitsch meets Japanese folklore at this theme bar where patrons can “die” and have their own mock funeral.

Its collection distills more than 60 years of pop culture in Japan, from Godzilla to Hulk Hogan.

Founded in 1880, this humble brewery still practices a disappearing technique of sake-making.

One of Kyoto's oldest food establishments has supplied soba noodles to temple priests and the Imperial Palace.

Sidle into a side alley for a taste of sumo wrestlers' traditional hot-pot soup, in a tiny restaurant founded by a former competitor.

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.

One of the world's largest tanks mimics the experience of watching rare whale sharks, giant rays, and deep sea creatures from the ocean floor.

An infamous house made famous by director Takashi Shimizu.

Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

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.”

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

Museum showcases Japanese sexuality and some amazing ocean views.

Japanese company creates clone dolls that reside in the "uncanny valley."

Once a black market electronics marketplace, now an otaku shopper's paradise.

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

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

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

Experience park where visitors are told to expect the unexpected.

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

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.