The supreme shrine of the state.

After the queen of Spain had a dream where these statues fell and crushed her, they were removed from the palace and given new homes around Madrid.

Stuck in a bygone era, the oldest subterranean shopping street in Japan hides beneath the popular Asakusa district of Tokyo.

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

Peer into this window for an interesting glimpse into the public utilities that make this city run.

A lonely chimpanzee lures you into a narrow alley leading to this hidden shrine.

This monument celebrates this shopping district's past history as a feudal silver mint.

A precursor to Taro Okamoto’s iconic Tower of the Sun.

This park boasts a unusual collection of curious monuments from around the world, from Micronesia to Antarctica.

A shrine dedicated to a 10th-century samurai emperor, whose head is not buried on site (contrary to popular belief).

Guarding the city of Chiyoda is a bizarre insectile creature with a name no one can pronounce.

This monument gives insight into how lost children were found in Edo-period Tokyo.

Mythical beasts symbolizing the city of Tokyo guard a historic bridge.

Weighing nearly seven tons, this massive sculpture was carved out of 500-year-old wood and decorated with thousands of jewels.

Emerging from the sidewalk, this sculpture of a whale commemorates the importance of baleen in traditional Japanese puppetry.

When this clock strikes a certain time, puppets showcase a story of life in Edo Japan.

Unbeknownst to many, an ancient burial mound hides in plain sight in Ueno Park.

Not quite the menace it once was, this monster still has some chops.

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

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

Go through the looking glass in Tokyo's Wonderland-themed shop.

Colloquially known as “piss alley,” this narrow street filled with tiny bars and barbecue stands looks like it was pulled straight out of “Blade Runner.”

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

After being lost for decades, this striking mural depicting the atomic bomb covers the wall of a busy Tokyo metro station.