Legends in Japan

This subway station is named after a local legend about supernatural dancing cats.

This one-of-a-kind shrine is dedicated to a girl who was too beautiful for her own good.

The burial site of 16 men’s hair buns, which were lopped off in place of their heads.

A single block in this stone staircase to the temple is mysteriously always wet.

Here lies Hattori Hanzō, a samurai who is remembered as a legendary ninja in today’s popular culture.

The strange “kaiju” of Lake Imba that allegedly killed over a dozen men with a single strike of lightning.

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

A giant man-eating crab monster allegedly left its claw marks on this unassuming boulder.

This unusual "magical shrine" honors a legendary raccoon-dog god that stowed away to Japan from some far-off land.

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

A long-worshipped mountain, considered a "power spot" and suspected to be an ancient pyramid by some.

A few hidden stones are said to bring fortune and love.

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

Plagued with warts? Leave a frog at this small shrine in the city of Tosa, and you may be cured.

A town's namesake rock has served as a spiritual matchmaker for hundreds of years.

This mythical weapon stuck on the mountaintop is also the site of the first honeymoon in Japan's history.