This subterranean spot might be the epitome of Japan's baroque, retro coffee houses.

A railway station takeout shop sells boxed meals in containers shaped like trains and snowmen that hold the country’s abundant regional delicacies.

A bovine sumo match in which both bulls live to fight another day.

A mysterious set of tunnels carved in the hills of rural northern Kyushu.

Barbies stare from the walls, sit on the tables, and even pop out of cakes at this quirky cafe.

The statue's head is one of the few fragments of the original Urakami Cathedral to survive the atomic bomb.

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 14th-century European chapel sticks out of the facade of a Japanese hotel.

This retro underwater observation tower would make the perfect lair for a sea-loving villain.

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

Japan's first automaton went missing, only to be revived by the Osaka Science Museum.

The floats housed in this hall are more than 100 years old, and are brought out for an annual celebration.

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

A remote and slightly overgrown park filled with replicas of world landmarks.

More tin toys than you can shake a clapping monkey at.

A Japanese shrine to dolls.

The world's shortest escalator doesn't seem to have any reason to exist other than to hold a world record.

Giant art made in Japanese rice fields.

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

Sulphuric gases inhabit a beautiful Japanese island.

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

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

The ruins of Japan’s premier water brothel.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.