Temples in Japan

The origin of this bizarre, ghostly idol is a local mystery, even to the temple it calls home.

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

Hundreds of statues of Buddha’s disciples meditating, napping, sneezing, and picking their noses.

In the oldest zen temple stands a descendant of the very tree that introduced tea to Japanese culture.

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.

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

A hidden gallery exhibits intricate, decades-old Buddhist reliefs.

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

A small shrine dedicated to a god of lightning and electronics.

The largest seated Buddha statue in Japan is the centerpiece of an abandoned complex in a quiet, seaside town.

A serene mountaintop temple complex featuring one big, bronze Buddha.

Visitors to this temple are greeted by a massive collection of wooden dolls said to bring good fortune.

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

Daikon radishes are offered to the Japanese Buddhist counterpart of the Hindu god Ganesha at this historic hilltop temple.

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.

The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.