An ancient passage filled with stalls selling used books, once frequented by Vincent Van Gogh.

This gorgeous reading room houses the oldest and largest art history library in the Netherlands.

A curious collection dedicated to human and animal anatomy and pathology.

The world's first zoo for microbes collecting the horrible and wonderful things living on and around us.

Established in 1638 to battle the Black Death, Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam is a treasure trove of rare flora.

Museum preserving torture methods from the past.

An Amsterdam street lined with antique shops each one dedicated to a different obscure collection.

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

Visitors to this museum will discover that kaleidoscopes are much more than toys.

The first location of the eventual video game giant.

More than 300 years old, Kyoto's historic "teahouse" still operates as an invitation-only geisha club.

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

Unlikely place for krautrock legends to hang out.

A Japanese concept restaurant that feels like a party thrown by the monsters in your closet.

This strange mural located in the Ueno station is filled with traditional Japanese symbolism.

Composed of scrap metal, a pair of platform-length murals chronicle Japan’s history, from the Big Bang to the development of modern Tokyo.

These ordinary blocks of stone are the last surviving remains of Tokyo's infamous red-light district.

A hole-in-the-wall antiquities museum in one of Tokyo's most popular megamalls.

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

One of the best-preserved remains of "Tokyo's lost rivers."

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

Steampunk, humanoid sculptures crawl on all fours in a Tokyo plaza.

Rubbing salt on this small stone dog is said to make wishes come true.

Inspired by the famous sculptures on Easter Island, this head serves as a popular meeting spot by Shibuya Station.