The city of Atami, located in the far eastern corner of Shizuoka Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, and in fact its name translates into “hot ocean”, but that's not the only thing heating... »

Unique Collections | Edited by Gakuranman, Rachel and others

The Kokoen garden, sometimes called Himeji Kokoen, is just a five minute walk from Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. If, for example, you arrive too late to tour the castle and everyone in... »

Optical Oddities, Horticultural Marvels | Edited by Phreddiva and Annetta

If there was one thing that Professor Ueno could count on, it was the sight of his loyal companion patiently waiting for him as he stepped off the train every evening after his commute. Every day... »

Fascinating Fauna, Hunting and Taxidermy, Strange Statues | Edited by Rachel

Japan is blazing the trail when it comes to developing synthetic humans. Seemingly lacking whatever it is that tends to give Westerners the willies when it comes to human replicas, the Japanese... »

Strange Science, Commercial Curiosities | Edited by Rachel

For the most part, 16-story buildings in Osaka do not stick out that much. That is unless of course, a highway cuts through them, allowing cars to race through the fifth, sixth and seventh floors.... »

Architectural Oddities, Outsider Architecture | Edited by atimian and HJHausman

There are only a few remaining accounts of Takakanonuma Greenland, and hardly any current photographs. It was a massive amusement park built in the 1970s, but now lies in an overgrown hazard zone,... »

Incredible Ruins | Edited by serflac and atimian

In Beppu City, Japan, there are nine steaming hot springs. Each is unique in color and composition, and looks strikingly different from the average natural spring. Chinoike Jigoku, is the black... »

Natural Wonders, Martian Landscapes, Geological Oddities | Edited by serflac, atimian and others

In a lot of ways, Kori no Suizokukan resembles an average farmer's market. Locally caught fish of 80 different species are presented on ice for the patron's browsing pleasure. As with any local... »

Museums and Collections, Unique Collections, Commercial Curiosities, Purveyors of Curiosities | Edited by serflac and atimian

A far cry from the sunny, commercial milieu of Ginza, the Vampire Café begs customers to enter a Gothic paradise, aptly blending tourist kitsch with the decor of Dracula's VIP room. Covered... »

Commercial Curiosities, Bizarre Restaurants and Bars | Edited by serflac and atimian

In Japanese folklore, "kappa" are bipedal, turtle-like aquatic goblins who sometimes grab unsuspecting humans, often children, as they walk over bridges or through swamps, pulling them down into... »

Wonder Cabinets | Edited by ilbonito, wythe and others