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

This mesmerizingly colorful pond looks like a scene straight out of a fairytale.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

Open-air museum with an elaborate sculpture garden, stretching for over 70,000 square-meters.

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

Hanging over one of Japan's "hidden valleys," these vine bridges must be remade every three years.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

The oldest hotel in the world has been operated by the same family for over 1,300 years, even catering to samurai.

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

The magical, mossy forest that inspired Princess Mononoke.

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

Take a few seconds to look at this abandoned, art-filled station as you pass by on the subway to Ueno.

The small candy-colored ride is the last rooftop Ferris wheel in Tokyo.

For hundreds of years, participants in this Japanese festival have been making babies cry to ward off demons.

A cool dive bar, off the beaten track.

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

Inside the columbarium, thousands of colorful, high-tech Buddhas guard the ashes of the dead.

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

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

Thirty architectural gems from the 19th- and early 20th-century Tokyo were restored and relocated to this space.

Starship-temple contains 400 tons of drinking water and offers free Japanese lessons.

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.”

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

The rusting remnants of a flying boat lie scattered near the site of its fatal crash.