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

The ruin of a Japanese love hotel almost completely overgrown with brambles.

An unexpected curiosity cabinet hidden within a department store in the Japan Post tower.

Burial mound for the ears and noses of thousands of mutilated Korean soldiers.

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

The ruins of Japan’s premier water brothel.

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

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

A tiny collection of traditional Japanese woodblock prints, open only when the owner feels like it.

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

Crawl through the hole in the middle of this stone to break off a bad relationship or initiate a good one.

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

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

The divine septet of Japanese fortune gods are rendered in 1,000 year old wood at this peaceful site.

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.

This ruined Japanese stripclub sits half burnt to the ground.

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

Japan's largest area of "pink moss" turns the hillside bright pink every spring.

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

A disconnected rotary phone for "calling" lost loved ones offered a unique way of dealing with grief in disaster-stricken Japan.

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

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

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