The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

This pair of small sea rocks has been "wed" using rope and ancient Shinto tradition.

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

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

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

Museum showcases Japanese sexuality and some amazing ocean views.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

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

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

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

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.

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

A Catholicism-themed restaurant where sacrilege is on the menu.

Cabaret where the show girls are all androids, and the patrons couldn't be more pleased.

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

Meet the world's longest tapeworm in a collection that really gets under your skin.

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

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

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

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

The self-mummified monks of Japan.

Underground farm located in a former bank vault deep within the bowels of Tokyo's business district.