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

These Japanese gardens are blankets of light for dark winter nights.

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

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

This little replica of Lady Liberty provides a bit of NYC in a Japanese city.

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

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

A steaming, boiling hellscape sources Hokkaido's thermal baths.

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.

A train ride to the middle of nowhere gives its passengers some of the most iconic views of Japan's seasons.

The 43-mile route crosses through six islands with gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea.

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

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

A plaque marks the site directly below the mid-air detonation of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

This isolated Japanese mountain village untouched by time showcases unique and stunning traditional architecture.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

This pond is so stunning it looks like you've stepped into one of Monet's masterpieces.

A beautiful bamboo trail tucked in this famous Japanese shrine.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

Open-air museum with an elaborate sculpture garden, stretching for over 70,000 square-meters.

This Japanese national treasure was originally built in 593.

Go through the looking glass in Tokyo's Wonderland-themed shop.

Twelve hundred stone carvings guard this off-the-beaten-path Buddhist temple.