melcafe's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Kobe, Japan

Myoken-ji

A relatively young Buddhist temple on hilltop, dedicated to a statue relocated from Mount Atago.
Miyoshi, Japan

Miyoshi Mononoke Museum

A collection of nearly 5,000 yokai-themed toys, sculptures, and more, dating from the 1700s to the present day.
Otaru, Japan

Former Temiya Line Railroad

This abandoned railroad got a new life as a scenic promenade cutting through the city of Otaru.
Naha, Japan

Inshallah

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

Stone God of Nanoka-Ichiba

Considered an enigma by folklorists, an object of primitive animistic worship lives on in Yamanashi.
Tachikawa, Japan

Faret Tachikawa

The former site of the U.S. military base redeveloped as an art district, boasting a collection of 109 public artworks from 36 countries.
Yokohama, Japan

Dr. Hepburn’s Former Residence

The man who created the first Japanese-English Dictionary.
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.
Tokyo, Japan

Arima Family Plot

No one knows why this family’s graves stayed on the national museum's premises after all other tombstones were relocated.
Tokyo, Japan

Ghost Chimney Monument

Once known for its eerie appearance, this semicircular monument is all that remains of a Tokyo industrial icon.
Tokyo, Japan

Kenashi Pond

Haunted by a giant white snake, this pond is said to bring the rain and pubic hair.
Shima, Japan

Shima Spain Village

This Spanish theme park stands out in the Japanese countryside.
Tokyo, Japan

Suribachiyama Tumulus

Unbeknownst to many, an ancient burial mound hides in plain sight in Ueno Park.
Machida, Japan

Poké Lid #100

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

Yamanoue Stele and Tumulus

The oldest surviving stele in Japan is a personal dedication from a monk to his late mother.
Kamakura, Japan

‘Insect Mound’

Nestled among the bamboos in a temple complex, this art installation serves as a unique memorial to insects.
Soja, Japan

Mahō Jinja (Magical Shrine)

This unusual "magical shrine" honors a legendary raccoon-dog god that stowed away to Japan from some far-off land.
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.
Tokyo, Japan

Hanegi Park

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

Grave of Hattori Hanzō

Here lies Hattori Hanzō, a samurai who is remembered as a legendary ninja in today’s popular culture.
Matsumoto, Japan

Yohashira-jinja Shrine

This traditional Japanese shrine is dedicated to four Shinto deities.
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.
Kamakura, Japan

Mandarado Burial Grottoes

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

Sahara Glass Park

This glass-themed tourist park in northern Japan feels like taking a step back in time.