This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

A Buddhist temple on an artificial island that houses a monument to the fugu fish.

Daikon radishes are offered to the Japanese Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu god Ganesha at this historic hilltop temple.

A touching statue dedicated to Japan's first therapy dog.

Rubbing salt on this small stone dog is said to make wishes come true.

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

This brothel-turned-restaurant features plenty of surprises and elaborate, extravagant architecture.

This 400-year-old sweet shop serves a delicacy some have described as "edible incense."

This museum showcases the art of ancient sword-making.

Shrine dedicated to boars that is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.

This Japanese Manneken Pis gets new outfits for every occasion.

Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.

Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry.

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

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

It's bad manners to eat and drink on the subways of Tokyo, unless the train is this bar. 

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

Established over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this day.

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

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

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

One of Kyoto's oldest food establishments has supplied soba noodles to temple priests and the Imperial Palace.