Japan's hottest hot spring has a memorable name.

This bar is filled with Star Wars merchandise from around the world, all of it unlicensed knockoffs.

These seven moai figures are the world's only sanctioned replicas of the Easter Island originals.

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

A hub of information on tropical diseases and their treatments.

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

This historic hydroelectric power plant in Japan has been preserved and is open to the public.

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 small island with no monkeys but plenty of military ruins.

A sobering scientific reminder of the human damage caused by the advent of the nuclear age.

A small Japanese village claims to be the final resting place of the son of God (and God's other son's ear).

The iconic castle that withstood a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has become a symbol of resilience.

A semi-abandoned replica of Prince Edward Island's Avonlea—in Japan.

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

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

This giant bronze Buddha, the third largest in Japan, is the last in an ill-fated series of statues.

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

The third-tallest statue in the world depicts the "Buddha of Infinite Light," complete with observation deck in his chest.

This subterranean spot might be the epitome of Japan's baroque, retro coffee houses.

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

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

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

This ruined Japanese stripclub sits half burnt to the ground.

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