When this massive wooden temple ran out of rope, they made one out of devotees' hair.

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

This tiny museum hidden above a restaurant houses thousands of modern and traditional kites.

A Japanese shrine to dolls.

This ancient shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years since the eighth century.

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

This ordinary set of steps is a must-see destination for fans of a certain romantic anime.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

A network of sandy streets lined with verdant fukugi trees weaves throughout this tiny seaside town.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

One of the world's largest tanks mimics the experience of watching rare whale sharks, giant rays, and deep sea creatures from the ocean floor.

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

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

Thirty architectural gems from the 19th- and early 20th-century Tokyo were restored and relocated to this space.

A steaming, boiling hellscape sources Hokkaido's thermal baths.

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

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

The self-mummified monks of Japan.

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

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese Shrine.

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

The oldest hotel in the world has been operated by the same family for over 1,300 years, even catering to samurai.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

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