1,001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

This massive, Edo Period, coin-shaped sand painting is believed to be a source of great luck.

Nestled amid the trees lies an abandoned funicular railway that dates back to the 1920s.

The world's narrowest strait is often mistaken for a canal.

A museum dedicated to the least secret spy is actually an attempt to get Hollywood's attention.

A dilapidated amusement park with a million-dollar view.

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

This quirky collection of furniture also happens to be a public art installation.

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

Tragic reminders of the 1945 firebombing campaign over Tokyo still haunt this bridge.

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

The bartenders at this crime-fighting theme cafe are actual private detectives by day.

Surreal giant face-pillars welcome visitors from across the globe to this hotel.

Blowtorches, tuna, and a jolly, chain-smoking proprietor mark this beloved street-food stand.

A train ride to the middle of nowhere gives its passengers some of the most iconic views of Japan's seasons.

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

The cutest shrine in Kyoto is dedicated to bunnies.

Japan's largest and oldest annual procession of floats, begun in 869.

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

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

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

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

The Hanshin Expressway goes right through its 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.