Haunted house kitsch meets Japanese folklore at this theme bar where patrons can “die” and have their own mock funeral.

This beautiful Japanese garden is a memorial to the samurai who literally wrote the book on business as martial art.

The giant figure on the back of this turtle-shaped temple actually hides a memorial pendulum.

This sprawling scenic burial ground is the final resting place of Japan's last shogun.

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

Transport yourself to the 1980s era of video games at this themed restaurant and bar.

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

The divine septet of Japanese fortune gods are rendered in 1,000 year old wood at this peaceful site.

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

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.

Shells collected from over a hundred different countries line the walls, floors and ceilings of this fantasy museum.

Museum showcases Japanese sexuality and some amazing ocean views.

Twelve hundred stone carvings guard this off-the-beaten-path Buddhist temple.

Reportedly 1,400 years old, this may be the first of the Fiji Mermaids.

The self-mummified monks of Japan.

A massive cave complex boasts some of the clearest water (and most charming bats) in the world.

The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

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

1,001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

Bioluminescent firefly squid light up this Japanese fishing port.