Only recently added to the shrine, this googly-eyed snail demon of unknown origin is said to have eye-healing powers.

A strip of traditional hand towel serves as an admission ticket at this modern tenugui museum.

Legend has it that centuries ago, a ghost once frequented this candy shop to feed her still-living baby.

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

The “bridge of return” is haunted by a myriad of legends, from ghosts to demons to nuptial superstitions.

It is believed that this Buddhist temple stands right on the gateway to the underworld.

A 1000-year-old shrine in Kyoto with a poorly planned sacred arch.

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.

An LED art installation composed of 600 poles wrapped in kimono fabric.

An ancient Greek physician is honored as a god at this hole-in-the-wall shrine.

Established over a thousand years ago, this family-run teahouse continues to serve skewers of sweet rice cake to this day.

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

The site where the famous city gate once stood, now in the middle of a playground.

The first location of the eventual video game giant.

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

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

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

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

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

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

Shrine dedicated to boars that is believed to cure foot and leg injuries.