454 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 47 places to eat in Japan See all 47 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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All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

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Hiroshi Igushi, principal of Kamiyama Elementary School in Ichinomiya, Japan demonstrates the use of a <em>sasumata</em>, the same day he actually used one to subdue an intruder.

In Japan, School ‘Intruder’ Drills Are Full-Contact and Unpredictable

In response to safety concerns, teachers and staff are trained to subdue and disarm.

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Shibata, outside of Fromagerie Sen.

One Woman's Quest to Create Truly Japanese Cheese

Sakura blossoms, sake, and local microbes set Chiyo Shibata's cheese apart.

These ovens turn the streets of Beppu into hell's kitchen.

The Japanese City Where Food Is Steamed in Hell

Chefs have been cooking with Beppu's hot-spring “hells” for centuries.

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Noriyuki Enami picking tachibana fruit.

The Quest to Reacquaint Japan With Its Forgotten Native Citrus

Once revered by royals and celebrated by poets, the tachibana is now endangered.

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Men called <em>noboriko</em>—more than 1,500 of them—run down the 538 stone steps of the Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine during the Oto Fire Festival in Shingu, Wakayama, Japan, to celebrate the end of winter. (2020)

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What better way to push back against a long, cold winter?

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Bone Woman is one of the yokai in the "Haunted Coffee" collection.

Meet the Ghosts Behind a Japanese City's 'Haunted' Coffee

These yokai make a scary good brew.

by Selena Takigawa Hoy

October 20, 2021

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