In the former treasury of a popular temple, a rare sculptural depiction of Kannon’s diverse avatars.

The former home of queer novelist Yoshiya Nobuko memorializes her contributions to modern-day manga.

Japan's legendary filmmaker is interred in a small graveyard in a similarly modest temple in Kamakura.

An eerie cluster of medieval cave-like tombs carved out of a cliff, hidden in a historic mountain pass.

This often-overlooked monument was crafted in the shape of the iconic samurai coin to honor an Edo-period mint.

The remains of the vast manor that once belonged to Lord Kira, villain in the 47 Ronin story, is now a shrine dedicated to the incident.

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

Curious onlookers have suspected this strange structure is a secret government base.

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

A vending machine dedicated to a beloved seaweed.

A site where ten to twenty thousand Edo-era prisoners were put to death.

A series of smile-themed sculptures created by artists from all over the world fill this Tokyo shopping district.

An eclectic temple with Chinese architecture, Korean lion-dogs, an Indian god and a legendary 700-year-old tree.

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

The world's largest permanent architectural projection display entertains audiences nightly with 28-story light shows.

This unassuming office building is home to what was once the world's largest pendulum clock.

This neighborhood thoroughfare is haunted by dozens of homemade monsters.

A hidden empanada shop run by the biggest Boca Juniors F.C Japanese fan.

A pentagram-covered shrine dedicated to a famed court astrologer known in the west as the Merlin of Japan.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

This statue of Buddha has a distinctive hairstyle meant to represent an unfathomably long period of meditation.

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

The cemetery houses the remains of Jun’ichirō Tanizaki, one of Japan's most famous novelists.

View Japan's most historic city from a cyberpunk walkway suspended 150 feet above the ground.