The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

This giant fashion model is one of the most beloved symbols of Nagoya.

A hole-in-the-wall antiquities museum in one of Tokyo's most popular megamalls.

More than 300 years old, Kyoto's historic "teahouse" still operates as an invitation-only geisha club.

The site of a famous samurai duel.

This massive, beautifully-lit underground quarry leaves visitors in awe.

Dedicated to the armor and weapons used by the legendary Japanese warriors.

The hometown of a beloved manga artist created a treasure hunt for his popular ghostly characters.

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

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

This amusement park brings a little slice of England to the heart of Kyushu.

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

One of the bloodiest and most important battles in Japanese history is recreated with kitschy concrete statues.

Hidden by the roadside in the Iya Valley, this gem brings together folk monsters and the region's unique geography.

Turn around and stick your head between your legs for the best view of this tree-covered sandbar.

What's believed to be the country's first shrine is, in Shintō mythology, the annual meeting place of the gods.

Japan's largest and oldest annual procession of floats, begun in 869.

One of the world's largest ancient burial mounds.

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

Weighing nearly 7 tons, this massive sculpture was carved out of 500-year-old wood and decorated with thousands of jewels.

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

This traditional Japanese-style house doubles as one of James Turrell's colorful works of art.

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

A flight of this "ghost staircase" has 40 steps on the way up, but only 39 steps on the way down.