92 Items Tagged

Japan

Oarfish sport red spine-like fins on their head and a long dorsal fin running the length of their body, as well as two oar-like pelvic fins, giving them their name.

The Legend of Japan's 'Earthquake Fish'

The serpent-like oarfish has long been considered an omen of natural disaster. Scientists are shaking up that old superstition.

Roxanne Hoorn October 3, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Chocaholic

AO Puzzles August 21, 2023

A school crossing sign in Fukuoka offers a variation on Tobita-kun.

The 'Darting Children' That Helped Japan Win Its War on Traffic Accidents

How hand-painted signs known as Tobita-kun became beloved local mascots.

Allan Richarz July 25, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Let Gravity Sort It Out

AO Puzzles June 26, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: When Tetris Meets the Four-Color Theorem

AO Puzzles May 22, 2023

All Illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: A Different Way to Paint by Number

AO Puzzles April 24, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Pointing the Way

AO Puzzles March 27, 2023

Welcome to the uncanny valley.

Issen Yoshoku

This kitsch-forward diner is dedicated to an almost-forgotten “one-cent” prototype of okonomiyaki.

Koytili hamsei, or sheep tongue salad.

Silk Road Tarim Uyghur Restaurant

Sample specialties from Xinjiang at this Shinjuku neighborhood gem.

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Going Home

AO Puzzles January 30, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: It's All Downhill

AO Puzzles December 19, 2022

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Breaking the Grid

AO Puzzles November 21, 2022

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Unofficial Japanese Food Holidays Crossword

AO Puzzles November 14, 2022

Shiotama crawling on all fours in NTV plaza.

Shiotama

Steampunk, humanoid sculptures crawl on all fours in a Tokyo plaza.

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: The Art of Illumination

AO Puzzles October 24, 2022

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Building Bridges

AO Puzzles September 26, 2022

Aburaya Kumahachi Sculpture

This statue of the "shiny uncle of Beppu" was erected in 2007.

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Charting a Path Between Day and Night

AO Puzzles August 15, 2022