melcafe's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Fukuoka, Japan

Japan’s First Tea Tree

In the oldest zen temple stands a descendant of the very tree that introduced tea to Japanese culture.
Tokyo, Japan

Asakusa Twelve Stories Mural

A painting marks the site of a historic skyscraper destroyed by the Great Kantō earthquake.
Dazaifu, Japan

Starbucks Dazaifu Tenmangu Omote-Sando

This is no ordinary coffee chain outlet—it's an architectural masterpiece.
Tokyo, Japan

Azabu-Jūban Smile Monuments

A series of smile-themed sculptures created by artists from all over the world fill this Tokyo shopping district.
Tokyo, Japan

Shimbashi Station SL Square

The decommissioned steam engine’s whistle can still be heard three times a day at one of Japan’s oldest train stations.
Yokohama, Japan

Taya Caves

A network of ancient tunnels and vaulted chambers with mystical Buddhist reliefs, built for ascetic training.
Otaru, Japan

Kitaichi Hall

A gorgeous, nostalgic café housed in a lofty old warehouse, lit only by petroleum lamps.
Tsu, Japan

Japon Louvre Sculpture Museum

A lesser-known sister to Paris's world-famous museum, located within a Buddhist sculpture paradise.
Yonezawa, Japan

The Fountain of Ideas

Ward off bad luck and fill your bottle with "the most watery water" at this little roadside shrine in Yonezawa.
Nikko, Japan

Ashio Copper Mine

The site of Japan's first major environmental disaster.
Mitoyo, Japan

Missing Post Office

A unique art exhibit home to letters addressed to those unable to receive them.
Okinawa, Japan

Hacksaw Ridge

A World War II battle site made famous by one man's heroic actions.
Mito, Japan

Mito Low District Water Tower

This beautiful defunct water tower adds a European flair to a traditional Japanese neighborhood.
Tokyo, Japan

Shibamata Taishakuten's Sculpture Gallery

A hidden gallery exhibits intricate, decades-old Buddhist reliefs.
Kochi, Japan

Berobero no Kamisama

This extremely naked God of Drunkards welcomes visitors to Kochi Station.
Tokorozawa, Japan

Kadokawa Musashino Museum

This airy five-floor library and museum houses thousands of books and rotating exhibits on Japanese monsters and anime.
Kyoto, Japan

Gokōshiyui Amidabutsu

This statue of Buddha has a distinctive hairstyle meant to represent an unfathomably long period of meditation.
Shintotsukawa, Japan

'The Next Step'

A museum in Hokkaido is housed in a former high school. On its grounds a marker shares the awakening of a man who longs to be reunited with his soulmate in the fictional world of Kcymaerxthaere.
Tokyo, Japan

Ishikawa Island Lighthouse

This public bathroom takes the form of a 19th-century lighthouse that once stood on the spot.
Ichinoseki, Japan

Genbikei Gorge

A stretch of the Iwai River that features beautiful rocky cliffs, rapids, and flying dango.
Aki, Japan

Ioki Cave

Over 40 species of fern cover the canyon walls of this lush green bowl, cut off from the bustle of the world by a cave entrance.
Minoo, Japan

Katsuo-ji Temple

Visitors to this temple are greeted by a massive collection of wooden dolls said to bring good fortune.
Kyoto, Japan

Remains of Rajōmon Gate

The site where the famous city gate once stood, now in the middle of a playground.
Kamishihoro, Japan

Taushubetsu River Bridge

An isolated "phantom bridge" doomed to crumble into ruin.