Surreal giant face-pillars welcome visitors from across the globe to this hotel.

A small shrine dedicated to a god of lightning and electronics.

An unusual structure of stone and glass honoring one of Japan’s most eminent Christian leaders who founded the non-church movement.

The “bridge of return” is haunted by a myriad of legends, from ghosts to demons to nuptial superstitions.

A network of ancient tunnels and vaulted chambers with mystical Buddhist reliefs, built for ascetic training.

Buddha figures are carved into volcanic rocks on the seashore of Yamagara Prefecture.

Two ogres stand guard at the Oga Visitor Center.

Rice balls symbolize fate and relationship at this adorable shrine, which was once dedicated to the Buddhist Devil.

Guarding the city of Chiyoda is a bizarre insectile creature with a name no one can pronounce.

This sculpture bears a tragic backstory that may have inspired a hauntingly beautiful children's song.

It is believed that this Buddhist temple stands right on the gateway to the underworld.

The decommissioned steam engine’s whistle can still be heard three times a day at one of Japan’s oldest train stations.

Running through lush forests and across the Tadami River, this train line offers breathtaking views of rural Japan.

Turn around and stick your head between your legs for the best view of this tree-covered sandbar.

Mythical beasts symbolizing the city of Tokyo guard a historic bridge.

When this clock strikes a certain time, puppets showcase a story of life in Edo Japan.

These wondrously illuminated caverns extend under the mountains of the Fukushima Prefecture.

This mountain's identity is stuck somewhere between a nightmare and a scenic tourist attraction.

A bibliophile's heaven that contains hundreds of bookstores, offering over a third of secondhand books for sale in Tokyo.

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

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

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

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

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