A charming 17th-century alley is lined with secondhand bookstores and antiquarian shops.

The Hanshin Expressway goes right through its 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.

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

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

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

An eerie reminder to the horrors of World War II.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

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

One of Japan's most famous sights, the bridge was originally built in 1673.

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

This isolated Japanese mountain village untouched by time showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.

This Japanese national treasure was originally built in 593.

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

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.