An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

Although damaged beyond recognition, this stone god is still said to bring good luck to those who tap on him with a pebble.

Once a black market electronics marketplace, now an otaku shopper's paradise.

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 quirky collection of furniture also happens to be a public art installation.

After being lost for decades, this striking mural depicting the atomic bomb covers the wall of a busy Tokyo metro station.

Inspired by the famous sculptures on Easter Island, this head serves as a popular meeting spot by Shibuya Station.

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

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

Is this cat asleep or just pretending?

These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

At a Japanese train station, a goddess emerges from a dumpling.

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

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

The site where the famous city gate once stood, now in the middle of a playground.