At the time of its construction, this type of door was nearly unheard of.

Composed of scrap metal, a pair of platform-length murals chronicle Japan’s history, from the Big Bang to the development of modern Tokyo.

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

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

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

Lost subway station nestled beneath Toronto's busy commuter line.

D.C. once had its own tiny rival to the New York Stock Exchange.

This mysterious structure by the Washington Monument is a flood barrier designed to protect the White House against rising waters.

The early data processor factory founded in Washington for the 1890 U.S. Census went on to become IBM.

This nine-story building is the oldest standing skyscraper in D.C.

Also known as the Founding Church of Scientology.

Helen Keller once broke ground on this historic center for the study of technologies to benefit the hearing impaired.

Amid the sprawling Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters is one of Washington's least accessible museums.

Art deco landmark on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.

A much-maligned monument to teetotalism.

The monument's pointy aluminum tip has been melted down by repeated lightning strikes.

The oldest building in the District of Columbia was preserved because of a mistaken connection to George Washington.

Fittingly, America's museum of architecture is itself a magnificently designed old building.

One of the dwarven trees dates back to 1625 and survived the Hiroshima bombing.

In addition to showing films, this one-screen arthouse cinema from the late 1940s is a museum of old film equipment.

Attached to this castle is a local church.

According to the Soldiers Account Book, the village of Odiham is home to Thomas Atkins, whose name became shorthand for all British soldiers.

A renegade art installation in a small Vancouver park is now officially sanctioned by the City Parks Department.

A pixel art killer whale is frozen mid-leap in this Vancouver square.