What's believed to be the country's first shrine is, in Shintō mythology, the annual meeting place of the gods.

One of the tallest statues in the world, and the tallest statue of a goddess in Japan.

This high-design church is made up of two dizzying spirals meant to evoke the weaving together of marriage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Closed for decades, this strange symbol of Japan's Expo '70 has finally opened its psychedelic insides to the public.

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

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

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The legendary birthplace of the Japanese maneki-neko is dotted with hundreds of lucky beckoning cats.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

The quintessential Japanese rock garden has existed for more than 500 years.

Every color in the rainbow awaits.