411 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Japan - Atlas Obscura

Unusual Attractions in Japan

Ghibli Museum

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

Kitakyushu, Japan

Wisteria Tunnel

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

Sagano Bamboo Forest

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

Ishinomaki, Japan

Cat Island

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.

Yamanouchi, Japan

Jigokudani Monkey Park

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

Vampire Café

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

Kabukicho Robot Restaurant

Cabaret where the show girls are all androids, and the patrons couldn't be more pleased.

Fujinomiya-shi, Japan

Aokigahara Forest

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Japan

Vampire Café

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

Kabukicho Robot Restaurant

Cabaret where the show girls are all androids, and the patrons couldn't be more pleased.

Nishiki Market

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

Yunessun Spa Resort

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.

See all 46 places to eat in Japan See all 46 places to eat in Japan

Atlas Obscura Trips

Artisans & Exiles: Exploring the Hidden Traditions of Japan’s Sado Island

Exploration through a history of exile, gold rush, and thriving cultural traditions.

Community Forums / East Asia / Japan

Top Discussions in the Japan Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Crepe Vending Machine	4 September 26, 2019	2283	September 26, 2019
Traditional fishing village wood buidling	0 June 28, 2019	780	June 28, 2019
Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower	3 July 16, 2019	2044	July 16, 2019
Chicken Sashimi	5 December 28, 2019	712	December 28, 2019
Seikan Tunnel	3 October 26, 2019	1151	October 26, 2019

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Stories About Japan

The Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum combines traditional temple architecture with striking modern form—in a remote rural setting.

Why Rustic Hamlets Host Some of Japan’s Most Striking Modern Architecture

Nostalgia, tourism, and a desire for relevance help drive the trend.

by Allan Richarz

Musicians perform sankyoku, traditional Japanese chamber music, in an undated photograph.

118 Years Later, Japan's Earliest Sound Recordings Still Resonate

Sessions in a Tokyo hotel room with a sound engineering pioneer captured a nation in transition.

This fruit-filled sandwich hides a pretty flower inside.

Sweeten Your Springtime With Japan’s Fruit Sandwiches

These treats have a surprisingly long history.

Rabbi Edery and CEO Hiroki Arisu outside Funasaka Sake Brewery in Gifu, Japan.

The Heartwarming History Behind a Brewery's Kosher Sake

Chiune Sugihara was "Righteous Among the Nations."

by Anna Rahmanan

Tax season, with a side of top-shelf ingredients.

In Japan, Taxpayers Enjoy Gifts of Fresh Fruit and Wagyu Steak

The Furusato Nozei program deals with the downsides of urbanization.

Narezushi is made of fish and rice, but that's where the similarity with modern sushi ends.

To Make Japan's Original Sushi, First Age Fish for Several Months

by Clarissa Wei

January 4, 2021

Overhead view of kissa Bugen’s well-designed and engineered pizza toast.

The Man Who Walked Across Japan for Pizza Toast

A new book chronicles the country's disappearing kissaten.

by Lauren Moya Ford

December 3, 2020

This room in a love hotel incorporates an underwater scene. Others have themes including the White House, doctor's offices, and railway cars.

Japanese 'Love Hotels' Are Kind of Perfect for Pandemics

They're discreet to the point of secrecy—which also makes them socially distant.

by Charlotte England

November 12, 2020

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