The most visited, and possibly most controversial, museum in Germany.

The traditional houses along the coast of this charming Japanese fishing village allow people to sleep above the sea.

The iconic castle that withstood a magnitude 6.2 earthquake has become a symbol of resilience.

Constructed thousands of years ago, these stone circles offer incredible insight into the lives of the people who built them.

This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

This historic hydroelectric power plant in Japan has been preserved and is open to the public.

Birthplace of the Tendai sect and home to the marathon monks.

With over 12,000 different species of plants, this botanical garden is Japan's oldest and most diverse.

The largest collection of model trains in the world is actually run using full-size locomotive technology.

A shrine contains nearly 200 statues of the Buddhist deity Jizo, dressed in bibs by parents who have lost a child.

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

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

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

The divine septet of Japanese fortune gods are rendered in 1,000 year old wood at this peaceful site.

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

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

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

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

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

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

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

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

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

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