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

This village is home to the largest existing settlement of the Ainu, the Indigenous people of Japan.

An ingenious solution to a tricky engineering problem, this spiraling bridge takes drivers for a dizzying spin.

The buildings are among the few Frank Lloyd Wright structures still standing in Japan.

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

One in a pair of subterranean caves created by an ancient eruption of Mount Fuji.

This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

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

The giant figure on the back of this turtle-shaped temple actually hides a memorial pendulum.

The Buddhist temples of Yamadera, built into a mountain side, feature a viewing deck with sweeping views.

These unique toilets feature transparent glass covered in PDLC film.

This Japanese Manneken Pis gets new outfits for every occasion.

After being lost for decades, this striking mural depicting the atomic bomb covers the wall of a busy Tokyo metro station.

A massive wintry wall of snow up to 66 feet tall flanks a highway through Japan's mountains.

This adorable birdlike police box is designed based on a play on words.

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

You can still find treasures on the pebbly beaches of one of the world's oldest jade-producing areas.

Each year this Japanese temple overflows with scowling, bearded good luck talismans.

Giant sand sculptures of famous people and places are on display near the Tottori sand dunes.

White beach sands made of the remains of tiny, star shaped creatures.

Historical Japanese-Dutch relations are honored with haunted rides and flower fields in this replica town.

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

Closed for decades, this strange symbol of Japan's Expo '70 has finally opened its psychedelic insides to the public.

One of the world's largest tanks mimics the experience of watching rare whale sharks, giant rays, and deep sea creatures from the ocean floor.