gwenleif's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Kawasaki, Japan

Kanamara Matsuri Festival

A rare festival blending religion, blacksmiths, vagina dentata, sex workers, and the straight-up facts of life.
Dylan Added by Dylan
Onomichi, Japan

Shimanami Kaido Bikeway

The 43-mile route crosses through six islands with gorgeous views of the Seto Inland Sea.
Meg Added by Meg
Nagano, Japan

Nagano's Darkroom

This ancient temple is set up to take you on a pilgrimage of self.
journeylism Added by journeylism
Hachimantai, Japan

Matsuo Mine

Abandoned Japanese ghost town gives a glimpse into what our own metropolises may leave behind.
Rachel Added by Rachel
Narusawa-mura, Japan

Narusawa Hyoketsu (Ice Cave)

A 70-foot-deep ice cave formed by lava from Mt. Fuji on the edge of Japan's "Suicide Forest." 
CryptKat Added by CryptKat
Kyoto, Japan

Nishiki Market

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.
clairedinhut Added by clairedinhut
Yakushima, Japan

Shiratani Unsuikyo Ravine

The magical, mossy forest that inspired 'Princess Mononoke.'
Added by iemjaxemail
Hayakawa, Japan

Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan

The oldest hotel in the world has been operated by the same family for over 1,300 years, even catering to samurai.
EricGrundhauser Added by EricGrundhauser
London, England

The Clockmakers' Museum

This museum inside a museum tells the story of London's timepieces.
AmunyAnkhesenra Added by AmunyAnkhesenra
Rome, Italy

Stumbling Stones of Rome

Brass cobblestones mark the places where individual Holocaust victims were taken from their homes.
James Aitchison Added by James Aitchison
Istanbul, Turkey

Viking Runes at Hagia Sophia

A small etching on the white marble parapet was written in runic script by a Viking mercenary.
Joel Cusumano Added by Joel Cusumano
Puri, India

Jagannath Temple

This 11th-century temple gave rise to the word "juggernaut," as well as some mysteries that defy scientific explanation.
mariellen Added by mariellen
Paarl, South Africa

Afrikaans Language Monument

The South African dialect's complex history is immortalized in stone, in one of the world's only monuments dedicated to a language.
Added by panicembryo
Viscri, Romania

Viscri Fortified Church

A medieval church built up to defend its village.
AaronNetsky Added by AaronNetsky
Kgatleng, Botswana

Matsieng Footprints

Local legend has it that the first humans were created in the pools here, leaving their footprints behind in the rock.
jlbielli Added by jlbielli
Blatce, Czechia

Houska Castle

Folklore says this medieval fortress was plopped atop a portal to hell to trap the demons below.
stonoceno Added by stonoceno
Aberfoyle, Scotland

Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

This enchanting hill is home to fairy lore and a sinister local mystery.
ssm67alba Added by ssm67alba
Howick, South Africa

Howick Falls

Local lore says a serpent-like beast lurks in the deep basin below the falls.
Added by GingerAl
Maitland, Nova Scotia

Burntcoat Head Park

The highest tides in the world come in and out here twice a day, allowing you to essentially walk along the ocean floor.
Added by Sleehah
Cairo, Egypt

Nilometer

An ancient instrument used to measure the waters of the Nile so Egyptian farmers would know whether to expect famine or flood.
AaronNetsky Added by AaronNetsky
Kamakura, Japan

The Great Buddha of Kamakura

A bronze statue dating back as far as 1252, still has remnants of gold on its right cheek from ancient gilding.
Added by lhackney
Amargosa Valley, Nevada

Devil's Hole

Water of undetermined depth has attracted rare fish and cult leaders alike.
Added by zackofalltrades
Copalis Crossing, Washington

Ghost Forest of Copalis

This grove of ghostly cedars was killed in 1700 by an enormous tsunami, felt from the United States to Japan.
JFish Added by JFish
Kesennuma, Japan

Tsunami Stones

Stone slabs along the coast warn of Japan's tsunami-ravaged past, often marking the highest point of a wave's reach.
Tony Dunnell Added by Tony Dunnell