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

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

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

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

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

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

Daikon radishes are offered to the Japanese Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu god Ganesha at this historic hilltop temple.

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.

Tragic reminders of the 1945 firebombing campaign over Tokyo still haunt this bridge.

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

This enormous monument is one of the most iconic structures in Tokyo, rudely nicknamed "The Golden Turd."

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

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

According to local legend, an ancient serial killer nicknamed the “Hag” once haunted this pond.

Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.

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

This Manhattan skyscraper is a reminder of the brief but glorious age of urban air taxis.

Mysterious 500-year-old tapestries depict a unicorn hunt.

This hidden oasis features a stunning view of the Hudson River and the Palisades from a castle-like museum.

Oldest existing church in New York and the inspiration for Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

This giant Massachusetts sycamore is said to hold the dubious distinction of being the "widest tree East of the Mississippi!"

These Benedictine nuns have been making artisanal cheeses since before it was cool.

Decades after testing the polio vaccine on unwitting patients, this historic mental hospital sits in ruin.

Panoramic views of the city of New Haven and the Long Island Sound, with a side of history.