Is this cat asleep or just pretending?

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

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

Home to the world's oldest wooden building.

The groundbreaking Japanese shrine maiden who invented the art of kabuki.

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

This 400-year-old sweet shop serves a delicacy some have described as "edible incense."

The first location of the eventual video game giant.

More than 300 years old, Kyoto's historic "teahouse" still operates as an invitation-only geisha club.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

This brothel-turned-restaurant features plenty of surprises and elaborate, extravagant architecture.

Burial mound for the ears and noses of thousands of mutilated Korean soldiers.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

One of Kyoto's oldest food establishments has supplied soba noodles to temple priests and the Imperial Palace.

Crawl through the hole in the middle of this stone to break off a bad relationship or initiate a good one.

A train ride to the middle of nowhere gives its passengers some of the most iconic views of Japan's seasons.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

Twelve hundred stone carvings guard this off-the-beaten-path Buddhist temple.

Go through the looking glass in Tokyo's Wonderland-themed shop.

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.”

Every color in the rainbow awaits.

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.