The Atlas Obscura Guide To Japan

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

Updated October 13, 2026

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Unusual Attractions in Japan

Sagano Bamboo Forest

Kyoto, Japan

Sagano Bamboo Forest

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

Totoro stares out

Mitaka, Japan

Ghibli Museum

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

Kitakyushu, Japan

Wisteria Tunnel

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

Fierce little cat.

Ishinomaki, Japan

Cat Island

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.

Tokyo, Japan

Vampire Café

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

Monkeys lounging in the hot springs of the park

Yamanouchi, Japan

Jigokudani Monkey Park

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

The clock is at the Nippon TV tower in Shiodome, Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan

The Giant Ghibli Clock

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

See All 887 Things To Do in Japan

Upcoming Events in Japan

Caribbean/Latin American Festival

Festival

Caribbean/Latin American Festival

Colorful parades, live music, and traditional dances fill the park in a lively celebration of Caribbean and Latin American heritage.

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See more unique events in Japan

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Japan

Tokyo, Japan

Vampire Café

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

Tokyo, Japan

Omoide Yokocho

Colloquially known as “piss alley,” this narrow street filled with tiny bars and barbecue stands looks like it was pulled straight out of “Blade Runner.”

Sashimi on a stick.

Kyoto, Japan

Nishiki Market

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

See all 86 Places to Eat in Japan

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Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Japan

History & Culture 138

Shrines 94

Architecture 89

Statues 81

Museums 79

Temples 78

Buddhism 62

Legends 42

History 37

Art 36

Architectural Oddities 36

Monuments 32

Sacred Spaces 32

Plants 31

Sculptures 29

Water 28

Folklore 28

Animals 27

Unique Restaurants & Bars 26

Collections 25

Places To Stay 11

Japan Leaderboard

Places Added

Places Edited

Places Visited

Recent Japan Activity

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damirpuh

wants to go to Grave of Hattori Hanzō
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damirpuh

wants to go to Shōzoku Inari-jinja Shrine
ucdy6496

has been to Hiroshima Peace Memorial
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ninsuter

wants to go to Omoide Yokocho
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ninsuter

has been to Ninja Akasaka

Stories About Japan

Benshi would introduce and provide commentary for films like A Page of Madness.

Remembering the Heyday of Japan’s Silent Film Narrators

Though the golden age of benshi was drowned out by the advent of sound, their art form is far from silenced.

by Pat Cassels, Atlas Obscura

Rice is central to Sado Island’s economy and culture.

How a Near-Extinct Bird Returned to the Rice Fields of Sado Island

The beautiful toki have become the pride of the island.

by Elena Valeriote, Atlas Obscura

January 8, 2025

The famed Koshihikari rice is sticky and chewy.

White Rice Is Bland? These Japanese Researchers Beg to Differ

Japan's food world is eagerly awaiting an upcoming "flavor dictionary."

by Kenji Hall, Atlas Obscura

In Nara City, Japan, sika deer have been protected for over a thousand years due to their sacred status in Shintoism.

Decoding the Sacred Genetics of Japan's Sika Deer

The deer of Nara Park are part of a millennium-old genetic lineage—does that make them more deserving of protection?

by Roxanne Hoorn, Atlas Obscura

Sado Island, Japan.

Share Your Dream Destination and Win a Japan Adventure! (Submissions Closed)

Tell us an amazing place to travel next year, and you could win a remarkable Atlas Obscura experience.

Sponsored By Atlas Obscura Trips

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.

by Roxanne Hoorn, Atlas Obscura

October 3, 2023

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

Puzzle Monday: Chocaholic

by AO Puzzles, Atlas Obscura

August 21, 2023

Cutting spaghetti squash across its short end results in longer “noodles.”

How Spaghetti Squash Squiggled Its Way Onto American Tables

It took a shift in food culture for consumers to embrace the "noodle plant."

by Andrew Coletti, Atlas Obscura

Lists Featuring Japan

Takasugi-an

There’s seating outside for diners.

Tanuki figurines.

Japan Is Atlas Obscura’s Community Country of 2025

From hidden shrines to eccentric festivals, a country our community can’t stop dreaming about

Including Fujimori Tea Houses, Kankōji Temple, and Matsuka Seimen Noodle Factory

Fierce little cat.

Elephants playing in the mud at Elephant Nature Park.

Oh, hello!

Little Spotted Kiwi

10 Ethical Animal Places to Visit in 2019

Unique experiences from Nairobi to Chiang Mai.

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