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

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

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

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

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

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

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

Japan's corrupt-mental-institution themed restaurant offers diners a chance to eat inside of filthy cells.

A train station decorated by a giant replica of an ancient Shakōki-dogū figurine.

This enormous monument is one of the most iconic structures in Tokyo, rudely nicknamed "The Golden Turd."

Next door to Tokyo DisneySea is a giant sculpture created by Taro Okamoto symbolizing the dynamism of life.

Tragic reminders of the 1945 firebombing campaign over Tokyo still haunt this bridge.

Sidle into a side alley for a taste of sumo wrestlers' traditional hot-pot soup, in a tiny restaurant founded by a former competitor.

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

People from around the world visit the shrine of Japan’s legendarily loyal dog.

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

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

Colloquially known as “piss alley,” this narrow street filled with tiny bars and barbecue stands looks like it was pulled straight out of “Blade Runner.”

An ordinary pond with fish from out of this world.

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

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

The original "capsule building" is a masterpiece of Metabolist architecture.