Mythical beasts symbolizing the city of Tokyo guard a historic bridge.

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

"The Dance of Fools" is Japan's largest dance festival.

After being lost for decades, this striking mural depicting the atomic bomb covers the wall of a busy Tokyo metro station.

A statue erected on an infamous cliff where young boys would hold dangerous "pee offs" to prove their mettle.

A bibliophile's heaven that contains hundreds of bookstores, offering over a third of secondhand books for sale in Tokyo.

The iconic castle that withstood a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has become a symbol of resilience.

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

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.

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

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

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

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

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.”

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

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

Hanging over one of Japan's "hidden valleys," these vine bridges must be remade every three years.

This massive wooden building contains a giant Buddha, healing pillars, and tame deer wandering the grounds.

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

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

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

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

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