277 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.

Added by ack sed

Ishinomaki, Japan

Cat Island

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.

Added by meredith

Kitakyushu, Japan

Wisteria Tunnel

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

Added by Arundel

Sagano Bamboo Forest

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

EricGrundhauser

Added by EricGrundhauser

Kawasaki, Japan

Anata No Warehouse

This faux-seedy Japanese arcade is made up to look like a maze of alleys straight out of a cyberpunk dystopia.

Dylan

Yamanouchi, Japan

Jigokudani Monkey Park

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

atimian

Added by atimian

Fujinomiya-shi, Japan

Aokigahara Forest

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

littlebrumble

Added by littlebrumble

Fantasy Dining Alice in a Labyrinth

Fine dining in the bizarre world of Lewis Carroll.

Added by Ellecp523

See All 277 Things to Do in Japan See All 277 Places

Unique
Food & Drink
in Japan

Raindrop Cake

Gastro Obscura

Raindrop Cake

The beautiful dessert evaporates in 20 minutes.

Gastro Obscura

Added by trevorxtravesty

Honey Toast Box

Gastro Obscura

Honey Toast Box

Many spoons are needed to demolish one of these ice cream-stuffed bread loaves.

Gastro Obscura

Anne Ewbank

Added by Anne Ewbank

Maple Leaf Tempura

Gastro Obscura

Maple Leaf Tempura

Why not fry a year-old leaf?

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Coffee Gelatin

Gastro Obscura

Coffee Gelatin

Leftover coffee plus Jello equals this vintage dessert.

Gastro Obscura

Anne Ewbank

Added by Anne Ewbank

See all 57 things to eat in Japan See all 57 things to eat in Japan

Community Forums / East Asia / Japan

Top Discussions in the Japan Travel Forum

Post	Replies	Views	Activity
Crepe Vending Machine	1 July 23, 2019	379	July 23, 2019
Traditional fishing village wood buidling	0 June 28, 2019	255	June 28, 2019
Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower	3 July 16, 2019	492	July 16, 2019
Shimanto River 'Seaweed' Tempura	4 August 10, 2019	184	August 10, 2019

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Stories
About Japan

Count 'em.

Sold: A Set of 54 Whisky Bottles, One for Every Playing Card

Only four such sets are known to exist.

by Matthew Taub

August 22, 2019

The women's bath at the Makiba-no-ie Ryokan in Yufuin, Ōita Prefecture.

Soak in These Photographs of Japanese Hot Spring Baths

For decades, Mark Edward Harris captured the calm and intimacy of onsens.

August 22, 2019

How does <i>Leocratides kimuraorum</i> do it?

Meet the Noisy, Head-Butting Marine Worms That Live Near Japan

Their "mouth-fighting" produces one of the loudest underwater sounds ever recorded.

by Matthew Taub

Gyotaku, the art that turns fishermen into artists.

How the Traditional Japanese Art of Fish Printing Inspired a Modern Art Form

Gyotaku was once a way to brag about the size of your catch.

by Sabrina Imbler

Seasonal, locally-sourced little bites of food that look like jewels.

The Exquisite Boxed Meals of Japan’s Train-Station Kiosks

Ekiben offers a taste of the country's regional delicacies.

by Rohini Chaki

The "5 pm chime" can include music, civic announcements, and more.

Every Day at 5:00, Japan Tests Its Disaster Warning System With Folk Tunes

The "5 pm chime" has taken on many meanings over the years.

by Allan Richarz

The historic home of the Yokoi family of Marugame, Japan, has been given to The Huntington.

How Do You Move a 320-Year-Old House Across an Ocean?

A historic structure in Japan is making its way to California.

by Jonathan Carey

A mascot-in-training jumps for joy.

Japan's Only Mascot School Teaches the Art of Cuddly Cuteness

Bringing people joy takes a lot of hard work.

by Kirsty Bouwers

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