These turtle-shaped concrete stepping stones provide a unique river crossing in central Kyoto.

This cozy café is housed in a repurposed pharmacy originally built in 1927.

This small Japanese street is lined with figures, sculptures and a shrine dedicated to frogs.

Losing lottery tickets are deposited at this shrine in hopes of better luck.

Though it won't take you far, the wood train housed at this station is the last of its kind in Japan.

This frescoed ancient burial mound is a colorful window into China’s influence in early Japan.

A shrine dedicated to the sacred white snakes of Iwakuni, whose albinism has been passed down for generations.

A small museum in a ward on the east side of Tokyo showcases the works of one of Japan's greatest ukiyo-e artists.

An LED art installation composed of 600 poles wrapped in kimono fabric.

This museum celebrates the history of Japanese advertising, from feudal business tricks to modern T.V. commercials.

The world's largest radiation field is probably our best bet for irradiated vegetable superheroes.

Run a wash cycle while sipping a latte at this community-oriented café.

The seat of the lost Ryukyu Kingdom has survived numerous fires and wars over the centuries.

These tiny pine-covered islands have inspired art and poetry for centuries.

Only recently added to the shrine, this googly-eyed snail demon of unknown origin is said to have eye-healing powers.

Japan's longest-running music festival takes place on an isolated butterfly-shaped island.

A culturally significant rural temple in the beautiful mountains of Itoshima.

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

Its collection distills more than 60 years of pop culture in Japan, from Godzilla to Hulk Hogan.

Located in a remote mountain valley in Yamagata Prefecture, these hot springs have attracted bathers for over 450 years.

A Buddhist temple on an artificial island that houses a monument to the fugu fish.

This kitsch-forward diner is dedicated to an almost-forgotten “one-cent” prototype of okonomiyaki.

Steampunk, humanoid sculptures crawl on all fours in a Tokyo plaza.

Every spring, this walkway outside the Japan Mint turns into a cherry blossom tunnel.