One of the top 100 sights of feudal Tokyo continues to impress those who visit the lesser temples of Ueno.

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

Overlooked by many, this tiny sacred island in Ueno Park only opens to the public every 12 days.

A Buddhist temple on an artificial island that houses a monument to the fugu fish.

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

Once upon a time in Kamakura, a five-headed dragon fell in love with an Indian water goddess.

The oft-overlooked site of one of the first marine biological research facilities in the world.

An eclectic fountain commemorating the 1964 Summer Olympics.

A major Japanese execution ground site from the Middle Ages.

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

A giant statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy watches over the town of Ōfuna.

A group of medieval rock-cut Buddhist statues created to save people from the volcanic hell that surrounds them.

Once the main gateway to Tokyo, sneaking through this checkpoint was a capital offense in feudal times.

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

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

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

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

This compact temple is filled with garlands of colorful balls that represent restrained monkeys.

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

The divine septet of Japanese fortune gods are rendered in 1,000-year-old wood at this peaceful site.

The largest of its kind in Japan, this century-old wasabi farm is also known for its appearance in an Akira Kurosawa film.

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.

This historic castle is one of the oldest and most impressive in all of Japan.