‘Bush the old fire dog died of poison July 5th, 1869. RIP.’

There’s a hidden military meme engraved on the World War II Memorial.

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

The largest collection of model trains in the world is actually run using full-size locomotive technology.

More tin toys than you can shake a clapping monkey at.

Shells collected from over a hundred different countries line the walls, floors and ceilings of this fantasy museum.

A collection of more than 1,000 teddies from nearly any profession.

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

A sobering scientific reminder of the human damage caused by the advent of the nuclear age.

Make your own fake treats at this factory and workshop in the epicenter of Japan's food replica industry.

A whimsical museum dedicated to the mischievous kappa, a mythical cucumber-loving water sprite.

Its collection distills more than 60 years of pop culture in Japan, from Godzilla to Hulk Hogan.

Visitors to this museum will discover that kaleidoscopes are much more than toys.

A museum run by retired highway engineers who helped rebuild after the Great Hanshin Earthquake.

The remains of a prehistoric settlement with a museum showcasing fascinating archaeological finds next to modern artworks.

A collection of nostalgic items from the Showa era with an exhibit on the local ghost story of the Snow Woman.

This futuristic-looking museum was built for the centennial of Japan's most innovative toilet.

The strange “kaiju” of Lake Imba that allegedly killed over a dozen men with a single strike of lightning.

A nondescript building is home to a one-room museum filled with an overwhelming array of art and objects.

A small, family-friendly museum dedicated to the “god of special effects” who brought Godzilla to life.

An Akita-themed facility modeled after the old Shibuya Station, erected in honor of Hachiko, a famously loyal dog.

This unique museum explores the world of Japanese demons and spirits.

Venue for strange sideshow displays and musical acts.

A forgotten tribute to a South American hero hidden in a cluster of traffic islands.