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

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

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

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

A 59-ft. robot statue looks over the citizens of earthquake-ravaged Kobe.

We heard you like volcanoes so we put a volcano in your volcano so you can die for sure...

A Japanese shrine to dolls.

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

A calico cat named Tama was the wildly popular Super Station Master at this train stop in southeast Japan.

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

Steaming blood-red hot spring from hell.

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

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

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Abandoned Japanese ghost town gives a glimpse into what our own metropolises may leave behind.

A Buddhist temple to honor insects that died for science.

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

Starship-temple contains 400 tons of drinking water and offers free Japanese lessons.

A restaurant modeled after feudal Japan, where the waitstaff are trained as ninjas.

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

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

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.