A pink cottage covered in hearts served as a haven and a resting place for LGBTQ activists.

Approximately 300 million years ago, a massive coral reef existed in what is now the largest limestone cave in Japan.

Weighing nearly 7 tons, this massive sculpture was carved out of 500-year-old wood and decorated with thousands of jewels.

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

Ruins and statues dot the landscape of this tiny island rich with royal history.

Nestled in an unassuming residential area, this "forbidden forest" is rumored to spirit away those who dare to enter.

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

A moss-covered statue of a Japanese Buddhist deity stands at a quiet temple in downtown Osaka.

A mysterious set of tunnels carved in the hills of rural northern Kyushu.

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

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

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

Largest graveyard in all of Japan surrounds a famous mausoleum.

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

The tallest bronze seated statue of the Buddha in Japan.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The bartenders at this crime-fighting theme cafe are actual private detectives by day.

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