One of the largest producers of MSG in the world welcomes visitors to its Kawasaki factory with an albino panda named Aji-Kun.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

The bartenders at this crime-fighting theme cafe are actual private detectives by day.

This town near Nagasaki is flecked with fruit-flavored bus stops.

As the aging humans of this Japanese village die off one local artisan is replacing them with eerie homonculi.

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

A real-life replica of a home from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved movie "My Neighbor Totoro."

Closed for decades, this strange symbol of Japan's Expo '70 has finally opened its psychedelic insides to the public.

White beach sands made of the remains of tiny, star shaped creatures.

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

An unlikely hit, this museum is dedicated to the inventor of instant ramen and cup noodles.

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.

Serving you alcohol with a side of insanity. Also, costumes!

The world’s first hotel to be run by robots.

A tiny cafe that recreates the Japanese elementary school lunch experience.

Abandoned Japanese ghost town gives a glimpse into what our own metropolises may leave behind.

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

Museum showcases Japanese sexuality and some amazing ocean views.

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

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

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.

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