meerkittie's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Hamura, Japan

Gonokami Maimaizu Well

Originally built circa 13-14th century, this “snail well” was a resourceful means to draw water in a region where the soil was mostly loam.
Kamakura, Japan

Thirty-Three Avatars of Kannon

In the former treasury of a popular temple, a rare sculptural depiction of Kannon’s diverse avatars.
Naha, Japan

Inshallah

For half a century, this Arabian-inspired retro café has been an oasis for locals in Okinawa’s central tourist area.
Kamakura, Japan

Hōjō-Komachi Archaeological Remains

The preserved ruins of the Hōjō clan’s palatial estate, hidden in the basement of a tourist information center.
Nanjo, Japan

Valley of Gangala

Once a huge limestone cave that collapsed thousands of years ago, this scenic ravine is also an important archaeological site.
Kamakura, Japan

Ryuko-Myojin Shrine

Once upon a time in Kamakura, a five-headed dragon fell in love with an Indian water goddess.
Kodaira, Japan

Tokyo Metropolitan Medicinal Botanical Garden

Home to a garden of poisonous plants and the only legal cannabis and opium farms in Tokyo.
Yaese, Japan

Tomori Stone Lion

The oldest stone lion in Okinawa survived a major battle during World War II.
Kanna, Japan

Sebayashi Ripple Marks

Fifty-odd dinosaur footprints are preserved on this strip of mountain cliff along with ancient ripple marks.
Kamakura, Japan

Muryōju-in Temple Site

Home to 800-year-old zen basin, a 400-year-old pilgrim’s path, and a century-old industrial grotto.
Tokyo, Japan

Café Paulista

Luminaries from Albert Einstein to John Lennon once had a cup of coffee at Tokyo's oldest café.
Machida, Japan

Poké Lid #100

Cute manhole covers commemorate the hometown of the real-life Ash Ketchum who created Pokémon.
Tokyo, Japan

Mesopotamia

The only Kurdish restaurant in Japan invites you to learn and feast.
Tokyo, Japan

Zen’yō-ji Temple

An eclectic temple with Chinese architecture, Korean lion-dogs, an Indian god and a legendary 700-year-old tree.
Kamakura, Japan

Mandarado Burial Grottoes

An eerie cluster of medieval cave-like tombs carved out of a cliff, hidden in a historic mountain pass.
Yokohama, Japan

Ganki Inari

A narrow, dead-end alley hides with a small fox shrine and the untold history of Yokohama's historic red-light district.
Tokoname, Japan

Tokoname Pottery Footpath

A mile-long trail of pottery culture, full of clay pipes and lucky cats, including one that’s 12.5 feet tall.
Tokyo, Japan

Hanegi Park

The 650 red and white Japanese plum trees of this Tokyo neighborhood blossom each spring.
Ōme, Japan

Nyanya Magari Cat Alley

A hidden alley with seven corners and handmade cat decorations.
Fukuoka, Japan

Site of Ganso Nagahama-ya

The former site of Fukuoka’s legendary ramen joint works hard to guide customers to the “original” original.
Tokyo, Japan

Todoroki Valley

The only natural gorge in metropolitan Tokyo, with lots of greenery and ancient burial chambers.
Oarai, Japan

Kamiiso no Torii

A lone torii arch stands on a coastal rock where a deity is said to have landed.
Tokyo, Japan

Tamon-ji (Tanuki Temple)

Home to a legend of the supernatural raccoon dog, a rare wooden structure of Edo, and witnesses of the Tokyo bombings.
Kure, Japan

Battleship Yamato Museum

Museum dedicated to the largest battleship ever built.