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

This ancient burial site was once thought to be the home of a race distinctive to Ainu folklore.

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

This pair of small sea rocks has been "wed" using rope and ancient Shinto tradition.

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

1,001 carved statues of the Buddhist God of Mercy, each with a unique face.

The 10,000 Torii shrine.

Claude Monet immortalized this medieval bridge in two of his paintings.

An incredible mosaic-lined monument said to have held the remains of an ancient Roman empress.

This peculiar Italian elevator runs both horizontally and vertically.

This 6th-century church has the largest and best-preserved collection of Byzantine mosaics outside Constantinople.

Legend has it this fountain built to symbolize the Pope’s power hides a strange secret concerning Neptune's manliness.

Go inside to really appreciate this 500-year-old technological masterpiece.

The only "Egyptian" pyramid in Europe and the legendary tomb of Remus.

A whimsical bridge adorned with decorative dragons.

This one-time health resort was used by aristocrats around the world.

Curious onlookers have suspected this strange structure is a secret government base.

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

This ancient shrine has been rebuilt every 20 years since the eighth century.

This sprawling scenic burial ground is the final resting place of Japan's last shogun.

Founded over a thousand years ago, this shrine is said to be built on the site of a warlord's harem prison.

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

Thirty architectural gems from the 19th- and early 20th-century Tokyo were restored and relocated to this space.