These sculptures were created by a 17th-century artist who had never seen an elephant.

The site of Japan's first major environmental disaster.

Stretching for 22 miles, the world's longest tree-lined avenue dates back to the early 17th-century.

The remains of the vast manor that once belonged to Lord Kira, villain in the 47 Ronin story, is now a shrine dedicated to the incident.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.

For centuries, this gold mine was the powerhouse behind the Tokugawa Shogunate.

These tiny pine-covered islands have inspired art and poetry for centuries.

A wooden prison doesn't sound like a good idea, yet this abandoned 1950s detention center still stands today.

It is said that coins washed in the waters here will miraculously multiply.

Is this cat asleep or just pretending?

Japan's longest-running music festival takes place on an isolated butterfly-shaped island.

These unconventional "tub boats" let locals row around the island's turbulent coast.

An eerie reminder to the horrors of World War II.

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

This mysterious medieval grotto holds a grid of sacred wells of unknown purpose.

Narrow passes cut out of mountains surround the medieval capital of Japan.

This incredible mountainside temple is home to intriguing statues of demon-like creatures.

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

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

The largest of the Fuji Five Lakes is home to an impressive swan population—some real, some with paddles, and one with an observation deck.

People from around the world visit the shrine of Japan’s legendarily loyal dog.

A museum dedicated to the history of Tokyo's often-overlooked working-class district.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

A remarkable lava formation encloses a line of Buddhist statues that can't be accurately counted, according to local mythology.