Places johntheriel Wants to Go

Rice balls symbolize fate and relationship at this adorable shrine, which was once dedicated to the Buddhist Devil.

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

This gnome sculpture and his wonderous hat forces train passengers to do a double-take.

Only the face remains of this giant Buddha statue, which is said to be a source of luck for students.

This cozy café is housed in a repurposed pharmacy originally built in 1927.

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

Unbeknownst to most passersby, this marble statue standing outside an office building is a genuine piece of second-century Rome.

This infamous execution site inspired the beginning of Japan's modernization in the late 18th-century.

This retro café is a remnant of Japan’s post-war Argentine tango craze.

This iconic sluice gate is a favorite haunt for joggers, fishing enthusiasts, and even ghost hunters.

The site of Japan’s first archaeological excavation is also the birthplace of fingerprint forensics.

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

Visitors to this park are welcomed by an ancient Japanese megalithic tomb that dates back to the sixth century.

A glimpse into life in 1830s Tokyo, back during the heyday of the Tokugawa shogunate.

This battleship of a building was designed by a famed "mad architect."

The only natural gorge in metropolitan Tokyo, with lots of greenery and ancient burial chambers.

Inspired by the famous sculptures on Easter Island, this head serves as a popular meeting spot by Shibuya Station.

This shrine dedicated to a legendary swordsman has become a pilgrimage site for the ill and infirmed.

Steampunk, humanoid sculptures crawl on all fours in a Tokyo plaza.

Walls of VHS tapes adorn this Golden Gai B horror movie themed bar.

Designed by a computer, this intricate network of fluorescent green pipes has taken over a subway station.

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

A hole-in-the-wall antiquities museum in one of Tokyo's most popular megamalls.

Watch out for the two-story Godzilla made out of tires.