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

Japan's largest collection of Western-style mansions in the port city of Kobe includes a recreation of Sherlock Holmes' 221B Baker Street quarters.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Once the most densely populated place in the world, this island is now a ghost town.

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

This enormous "shamoji" means more to the people of Miyajima than just a way getting rice onto a plate.

Japanese national treasure originally built in 593 CE.

Peace Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome.

Nine Gardens in one—with tea service.

This adorable birdlike police box is designed based on a play on words.

Disaster prevention apartment blocks in Sumida Ward are designed to save as many as possible in the face of the inevitable.

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

Oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Once a black market electronics marketplace, now an otaku shopper's paradise.

This Buddhist temple is home to the graves of the Japanese national legends, the 47 Ronin.

The giant figure on the back of this turtle-shaped temple actually hides a memorial pendulum.