Places squiddlydoo Wants to Go

A whimsical museum dedicated to the mischievous kappa, a mythical cucumber-loving water sprite.

This temple is steeped in local folklore involving a teakettle and a raccoon dog.

Nope, not the one in France. The only officially-recognized reproduction of Monet’s garden in Giverny is located in a remote corner of Japan.

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

A hole-in-the-wall antiquities museum in one of Tokyo's most popular megamalls.

Tell this pair of "love-inviting" cats in Ginza your romantic hopes.

Exploring crime and punishment in feudal and pre-modern Japan.

This western-themed amusement park is host to a large number of decaying animatronic cowboys.

An anthropological theme park that depicts the cultures of around 20 different countries.

This traditional Japanese-style house doubles as one of James Turrell's colorful works of art.

Hidden by the roadside in the Iya Valley, this gem brings together folk monsters and the region's unique geography.

A quaint amusement park now sits, rusting and forgotten among the foliage.

Nestled in an unassuming residential area, this "forbidden forest" is rumored to spirit away those who dare enter it.

A sobering scientific reminder of the human damage caused by the advent of the nuclear age.

Children's literature inside, forest all around.

As the aging humans of this Japanese village die off one local artisan is replacing them with eerie homonculi.

This town near Nagasaki is flecked with fruit-flavored bus stops.

Be a ninja - or just act like one.

Giant sand sculptures of famous people and places are on display near the Tottori sand dunes.

A giant robo-cockroach building devours Tokyo.

If you forgot something to read during your trip to Tokyo, this hostel has you covered.

This museum showcases the art of ancient sword-making.

An oddly touching memorial to a little-remembered nuclear tragedy.

Kawaii meets poisonous at this unique art gallery.