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

The third-tallest statue in the world depicts the "Buddha of Infinite Light," complete with observation deck in his chest.

A network of sandy streets lined with verdant fukugi trees weaves throughout this tiny seaside town.

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

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.

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

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

A King Kong-like gorilla hangs from the top of this commercial building in Tokyo.

A cool dive bar, off the beaten track.

Giant animal sculptures are created with the rice straw leftover from the fall harvest each year.

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

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

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

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

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

This sawtooth mountain range still bears the strangely lovely marks of its history as a medieval quarry.

An astounding annual light display honors the victims of one of Japan's most devastating earthquakes.

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

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

Japan's largest area of "pink moss" turns the hillside bright pink every spring.

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

This subterranean spot might be the epitome of Japan's baroque, retro coffee houses.

Cherry blossom season comes early in this Japanese town where pink flowers line the streets and riverbanks.

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