The headquarters of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism, Thailand's largest monastic order.

Modern design and unusual architecture make this mountaintop temple no ordinary Buddhist retreat.

At the right time of day, sunlight floods through the roof of this cave and illuminates the small pavilion hidden within.

A limestone wonderland of water and subterranean secrets.

A white Buddhist temple with a golden restroom.

Stunning wetlands ablaze with pink lotus flowers.

One of Kyoto's oldest food establishments has supplied soba noodles to temple priests and the Imperial Palace.

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

This mountain's identity is stuck somewhere between a nightmare and a scenic tourist attraction.

This “peasant café” in the middle of Tokyo re-creates the atmosphere of the Japanese countryside.

This ordinary set of steps is a must-see destination for fans of a certain romantic anime.

Founded over a thousand years ago, this shrine is said to be built on the site of a warlord's harem prison.

A massive wintry wall of snow up to 66 feet tall flanks a highway through Japan's mountains.

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

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.

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

The largest volcanic caldera in Japan holds an entire city in its maw.

This Kyoto Starbucks takes coffee drinkers back in time.

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

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

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

A Buddhist temple to honor insects that died for science.

One of Japan's most famous sights, the bridge was originally built in 1673.

If Hello Kitty were Mickey Mouse, this would be Disneyland.