The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

The only thing sweeter than the potatoes is the canine proprietor of this roadside stall.

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

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

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

Coast along one of Japan’s mountain railways for coveted views of magnificent hydrangeas.

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

A disconnected rotary phone for "calling" lost loved ones offered a unique way of dealing with grief in disaster-stricken Japan.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

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

Unusual hexagonal rocks formed by cooling lava named for their resemblance to traditional Japanese tatami mats.

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

A real-life replica of a home from Hayao Miyazaki's beloved movie "My Neighbor Totoro."

A Japanese cat island also populated by the descendants of a band of banished samurai.

The world's largest drain sits below the city of Kasukabe, Japan.

This ancient temple is set up to take you on a pilgrimage of self.

A Catholicism-themed restaurant where sacrilege is on the menu.

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

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

Shells collected from over a hundred different countries line the walls, floors and ceilings of this fantasy museum.

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

A Japanese corporation has turned this small island town into living modern art gallery.

The world’s first hotel to be run by robots.

Transport yourself to the 1980s era of video games at this themed restaurant and bar.