Statues in Japan

This statue of a deified “hag” is said to protect children from the common cold and coughing fits.

Another statue of Japan's most famous dog stands in his hometown.

This replica of the Statue of Liberty is a quarter of the size of the real thing. It sits on the same latitude as the original, but on the other side of the world.

A quartet of temple guardian statues that allegedly cry at night for being forbidden from wrestling.

A giant statue of the Buddhist goddess of mercy watches over the town of Ōfuna.

This shrine, built to protect against destructive waves, is home to two monumental lion heads.

Commemorating the Japanese migration to Peru, this statue has a sister standing across the Pacific.

A bizarre object of worship believed to grant wishes to those who tie it up with a rope.

In the former treasury of a popular temple, a rare sculptural depiction of Kannon’s diverse avatars.

Feast your eyes on the centuries-old statues of the judges of hell.

Three rare “road guardian” stelae with reliefs of the Tengu can be found in the town of Naruse.

They say the internet is forever but just in case, the shiba inu behind an iconic meme has been immortalized in bronze.

These statues are dedicated to the damned souls of those executed centuries ago on the beautiful Yuigahama beach.

This church commemorates a venerable, yet nigh-forgotten woman who dedicated her life to the poor in post-war Tokyo.

A group of medieval rock-cut Buddhist statues created to save people from the volcanic hell that surrounds them.

Rumored to be a giant robot in disguise, this colossal chef has been the beloved symbol of Tokyo’s kitchenware district for decades.