An enormous pair of straw sandals woven in the traditional way—to keep demons at bay.

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

A train station decorated by a giant replica of the ancient Shakōki-dogū figurine found in the area.

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.

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.

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

Is this cat asleep or just pretending?

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

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

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

This little known mountain has claimed four times as many lives as Everest.

This giant bronze Buddha, the third largest in Japan, is the last in an ill-fated series of statues.

Devoted Buddhists can earn enlightenment in the next life by crawling through this symbolic nostril.

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.

Elaborate series of tunnels where traces of mass suicide are still visible.

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

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

An unlikely hit, this museum is dedicated to the inventor of instant ramen and cup noodles.

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

Legend holds eating just one of these black eggs can add seven years to one's life.

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

After a profound show of devotion for his master, a dog becomes the symbol of loyalty for an entire nation.

Once a black market electronics marketplace, now an otaku shopper's paradise.