This ancient temple is set up to take you on a pilgrimage of self.

A Buddhist temple to honor insects that died for science.

Starship-temple contains 400 tons of drinking water and offers free Japanese lessons.

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

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

Japanese company creates clone dolls that reside in the "uncanny valley."

A tiny cafe that recreates the Japanese elementary school lunch experience.

A museum dedicated to the history of Tokyo's often-overlooked working-class district.

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

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

An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

After a profound show of devotion for his master, a dog becomes the symbol of loyalty for an entire nation.

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

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

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

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

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

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

Open-air museum with an elaborate sculpture garden, stretching for over 70,000 square-meters.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

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

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.