meerkittie's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
Loading map...
Sakaiminato, Japan

Yokai of Mizuki Shigeru Road

The hometown of a beloved manga artist created a treasure hunt for his popular ghostly characters.
Nagato, Japan

Mara Kannon

This phallic temple was erected in the forest to honor the tragic death of a samurai lord's son.
Yokohama, Japan

Umi-Shibaura Station

Passengers are not allowed to set foot outside this station, but you can still enjoy spectacular views of the sea from the platform.
Tokyo, Japan

Yagiri no Watashi

The only Edo-period ferry that is still in operation in Tokyo today.
Otsu, Japan

Mt. Hiei

Birthplace of the Tendai sect and home to the marathon monks.
Komaki, Japan

Mama Kannon Temple

The only Buddhist temple in Japan dedicated to breasts.
Kyoto, Japan

Kameya Kiyonaga

This 400-year-old sweet shop serves a delicacy some have described as "edible incense."
Kanazawa, Japan

Myouryuji (Ninja Temple)

Although it has never been a secret ninja base, this shrine still has plenty of tricks up its sleeve.
Saitama, Japan

Tsuki Shrine

A unique Shinto shrine filled with bunnies and wordplay.
Tokyo, Japan

Omori Shell Mound

The site of Japan’s first archaeological excavation is also the birthplace of fingerprint forensics.
Tokyo, Japan

Japanese Sword Museum

This museum showcases the art of ancient sword-making.
Kyoto, Japan

Funaoka Onsen

Have a soak at this retro bathhouse, where you will find Japan's first electric bath, tiling from Spain, and wood carvings representing the Japanese invasion of Manchuria.
Kumano-chō, Japan

Fudenosato Kobo Brush Museum

This little town supplies Japan with most of its calligraphy brushes, still made by hand from animal fur.
Chichibu, Japan

Chichibu Chinsekikan (Hall of Curious Rocks)

This quirky little private museum is home to more than a thousand stones, carved by nature, that resemble human faces.
Kyonan, Japan

Nihonji Daibutsu: The Great Buddha of Nihonji

This giant seated Bhudda of Healing dates to the 1780s.
Ikaruga, Japan

Hōryū-ji

Home to the world's oldest wooden building.
Narusawa, Japan

Fugaku Wind Cave

One in a pair of subterranean caves created by an ancient eruption of Mount Fuji.
Unzen-shi, Japan

Obama Onsen

Japan's hottest hot spring has a memorable name.
Kitagawa, Japan

Monet's Garden Marmottan

Nope, not the one in France. The only officially-recognized reproduction of Monet’s garden in Giverny is located in a remote corner of Japan.
Shimanto-chō, Japan

Kaiyodo Kappa Museum

A whimsical museum dedicated to the mischievous kappa, a mythical cucumber-loving water sprite.
Osaka, Japan

Taiyoshi Hyakuban

This brothel-turned-restaurant features plenty of surprises and elaborate, extravagant architecture.
Yoshimi, Japan

The Hundred Caves of Yoshimi

This ancient burial site was once thought to be the home of a race distinctive to Ainu folklore.
Yusuhara, Japan

Yusuhara Town Library

High in the mountains of Kochi Prefecture, a magnificent library designed by a world-famous architect.
Oda, Japan

Nima Sand Museum

"Singing sands" and the world's largest hourglass reside near Japan's Kotogahama beach.