Statues in Japan

A culturally significant rural temple in the beautiful mountains of Itoshima.

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

A 17th-century Shinto shrine that is home to statues of Mickey Mouse and Pikachu.

A statue meant to celebrate peace has also been interpreted as a mother taking away her son's internet privileges.

Unbeknownst to most passersby, this marble statue standing outside an office building is a genuine piece of second-century Rome.

Only the face remains of this giant Buddha statue, which is said to be a source of luck for students.

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

This water goblin statue represents a 19th-century urban legend about a haunted canal that became a Japanese idiom.

This giant statue pays homage to this temple's furry residents who keep the landscape pristine.

This Japanese Manneken Pis gets new outfits for every occasion.

Along the side of the road on a small Japanese island is an extensive garden of uniquely designed Shisa statues.

The hometown of a beloved manga artist created a treasure hunt for his popular ghostly characters.

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

One of the tallest statues in the world, and the tallest statue of a goddess in Japan.

At a Japanese train station, a goddess emerges from a dumpling.

Rows of stone statues are dressed up to mourn children that are lost before birth.