This futuristic public park includes large sculptures and an artificial geyser.

A gorgeous, nostalgic café housed in a lofty old warehouse, lit only by petroleum lamps.

This abandoned railroad got a new life as a scenic promenade cutting through the city of Otaru.

This dazzling three-story shop showcases the art and history of music boxes, a popular novelty in Japan.

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

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

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

These turtle-shaped concrete stepping stones provide a unique river crossing in central Kyoto.

This 14th-century temple is also known as the "Temple of the Golden Pavilion" for its gorgeous gilded reliquary hall.

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

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

This kitsch-forward diner is dedicated to an almost-forgotten “one-cent” prototype of okonomiyaki.

The groundbreaking Japanese shrine maiden who invented the art of kabuki.

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

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

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

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

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

When this massive wooden temple ran out of rope, they made one out of devotees' hair.

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

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

This massive wooden building contains a giant Buddha, healing pillars, and tame deer wandering the grounds.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

One of the world's largest ancient burial mounds.