An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

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

A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.

Narrow passes cut out of mountains surround the medieval capital of Japan.

When this massive wooden temple ran out of rope, they made one out of devotees' hair.

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

The largest collection of model trains in the world is actually run using full-size locomotive technology.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

Inside the columbarium, thousands of colorful, high-tech Buddhas guard the ashes of the dead.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

This sprawling scenic burial ground is the final resting place of Japan's last shogun.

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

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

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

Thirty architectural gems from the 19th- and early 20th-century Tokyo were restored and relocated to this space.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

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

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

Starship-temple contains 400 tons of drinking water and offers free Japanese lessons.

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

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.”

This isolated Japanese mountain village untouched by time showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.