Monkeys lounge around at this 13th century temple.

The golden Buddha statue at the Wat Muang Monastery is the tallest in Thailand, and the ninth-tallest in the world.

The headquarters of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism, Thailand's largest monastic order.

The bartenders at this crime-fighting theme cafe are actual private detectives by day.

This little town supplies Japan with most of its calligraphy brushes, still made by hand from animal fur.

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

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

Go through the looking glass in Tokyo's Wonderland-themed shop.

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

A restaurant modeled after feudal Japan, where the waitstaff are trained as ninjas.

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

Drinkslinger is an unlikely vocation for a Buddhist monk, but at this Tokyo bar the enlightenment is served in a martini glass.

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

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

One of Japan's most famous sights, the bridge was originally built in 1673.

A 20-meter (65-foot) robot towers over Tokyo Bay.

A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

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

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

1,001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.