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All Japan

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Japan

490 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Japan

Updated March 27, 2023

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Cities

Top Cities
Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Yokohama
Kawasaki
Kamakura
All Cities
  1. Aomori
  2. Beppu
  3. Chichibu
  4. Hakone
  5. Hatsukaichi
  6. Himeji
  7. Hiroshima
  8. Ichihara
  9. Ine
  10. Ise
  11. Ishigaki
  12. Iwakuni
  13. Kamakura
  14. Kawasaki
  15. Kawazu
  16. Kesennuma
  17. Kobe
  18. Kumamoto
  19. Kumamoto
  20. Kure
  21. Kyonan
  22. Kyoto
  23. Minakami
  24. Mito
  25. Miyoshi
  26. Motobu
  27. Nagasaki
  28. Naoshima
  29. Nara
  30. Niigata
  31. Nikko
  32. Okinawa
  33. Onomichi
  34. Osaka
  35. Sado
  36. Sakaiminato
  37. Sapporo
  38. Sasebo
  39. Takasaki
  40. Takayama
  41. Tamura
  42. Tokyo
  43. Utsunomiya
  44. Yokohama
  45. Yokosuka
  46. Yoshimi
Attractions
Food & Drink
Trips
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Lists

Unusual Attractions in Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Ghibli Museum

A magical place that lets you play in and explore the world of Studio Ghibli.

Kyoto, Japan

Sagano Bamboo Forest

The sound of swaying stalks in this stunning grove has been named a governmentally recognized sound.

Kitakyushu, Japan

Wisteria Tunnel

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

Ishinomaki, Japan

Cat Island

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.

Yamanouchi, Japan

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Hot springs monkey spa in the middle of Hell's Valley.

Tokyo, Japan

Vampire Café

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

Tokyo, Japan

The Giant Ghibli Clock

Tokyo’s only Vaudeville-cuckoo clock–steampunk-Victorian curio cabinet time piece.

Fujinomiya-shi, Japan

Aokigahara Forest

A beautiful, dense forest in the shadow of Mount Fuji, with a tragic reputation.
See All 490 Things To Do in Japan

Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Vampire Café

A taste of the macabre Tokyo's ritzy shopping district.

Kyoto, Japan

Nishiki Market

This 700-year-old street food market features baby octopus and soy donuts.

Hakone, Japan

Yunessun Spa Resort

This spa theme park lets its guests take a dip in pools of coffee, wine, or ramen broth.

Yokohama, Japan

Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum

This historical theme park celebrates all things noodle.
See all 10 Places to Eat in Japan
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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Atlas Obscura Trips

Artisans & Exiles: Exploring the Hidden Traditions of Japan’s Sado Island

Exploration through a history of exile, gold rush, and thriving cultural traditions.

Learn More

Explore Japan

History & Culture 72
Statues 46
Shrines 43
Temples 39
Architectural Oddities 30
Sacred Spaces 29
Art 29
Museums And Collections 28
Buddhism 28
Plants 26
Animals 25
Unique Restaurants & Bars 24
Places To Stay 11

Japan Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Avatar image for Fred Cherrygarden
    Fred Cherrygarden
    153
  2. Avatar image for ChiaraT
    ChiaraT
    17
  3. Avatar image for KoinuSensei
    KoinuSensei
    11
  4. Avatar image for caitlinfrunks
    caitlinfrunks
    10
  5. Avatar image for Hermit09
    Hermit09
    10

Places Edited

  1. Avatar image for Fred Cherrygarden
    Fred Cherrygarden
    204
  2. Avatar image for Rachel
    Rachel
    55
  3. Avatar image for Molly McBride Jacobson
    Molly McBride Jacobson
    33
  4. Avatar image for Hermit09
    Hermit09
    31
  5. M
    Martin
    27

Places Visited

  1. Avatar image for Fred Cherrygarden
    Fred Cherrygarden
    210
  2. B
    bjpatterson
    108
  3. M
    marcogliese
    88
  4. A
    adambreck
    85
  5. M
    mogemoge
    72

Recent Japan Activity

  • K

    katelinwirth

    wants to go to Jigokudani (Hell Valley)

  • K

    katelinwirth

    wants to go to Blue Pond

  • K

    katelinwirth

    wants to go to Lake Akan Ainu Kotan

  • K

    katelinwirth

    wants to go to Shibazakura Park

  • K

    katelinwirth

    wants to go to Forest of Seven Lucky Gods

Stories About Japan

Puzzle Monday: Pointing the Way

by AO Puzzles
March 27, 2023

Puzzle Monday: Golf, Only Slightly Abstracted

by AO Puzzles
February 27, 2023

Podcast: The Gankutsu Hotel

In Japan, a farmer's unfinished art project lies in ruins—but a dedicated duo are determined to keep his legacy alive.
by The Podcast Team
February 20, 2023

Puzzle Monday: Going Home

by AO Puzzles
January 30, 2023

Puzzle Monday: It's All Downhill

by AO Puzzles
December 19, 2022

Puzzle Monday: Breaking the Grid

by AO Puzzles
November 21, 2022

Puzzle Monday: Unofficial Japanese Food Holidays Crossword

by AO Puzzles
November 14, 2022

Puzzle Monday: The Art of Illumination

by AO Puzzles
October 24, 2022

Lists Featuring Japan

Fierce little cat.
Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.
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Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

12

Including Cat Island, Elephant Nature Park , and India's Giant Technicolor Squirrels

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