Places marilynljanes Wants to Go

Legend says the goddess this shrine honors curses any couples that pass by.

Daikon radishes are offered to the Japanese Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu god Ganesha at this historic hilltop temple.

A 20-meter (65-foot) robot towers over Tokyo Bay.

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

According to local legend, an ancient serial killer nicknamed the “Hag” once haunted this pond.

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

A statue meant to celebrate peace has also been interpreted as a mother taking away her son's internet privileges.

This little replica of Lady Liberty provides a bit of NYC in a Japanese city.

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

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

This century-old electronics store-turned-cafe serves comforting, retro fare.

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

In Asakusa, Tokyo's very own Walk of Fame.

A miniature shrine in the busy corner of Tokyo's historic Broadway, honoring a sextet of unusual entertainment gods.

Rumored to be a giant robot in disguise, this colossal chef has been the beloved symbol of Tokyo’s kitchenware district for decades.

Shrine to Japanese water-goblins, complete with their preserved body parts.

This public bathroom takes the form of a 19th-century lighthouse that once stood on the spot.

Thousands of foxes are said to gather and parade across the neighborhood of Ōji on New Year’s Eve.

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

After a profound show of devotion for his master, a dog becomes the symbol of loyalty for an entire nation.

No one knows why this family’s graves stayed on the national museum's premises after all other tombstones were relocated.

The only Kurdish restaurant in Japan invites you to learn and feast.

A Buddhist temple to honor insects that died for science.

A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.