From Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant to the country’s very own rabbit island, there are plenty of weird and wonderful things to do in Japan on your next holiday. Futuristic cities and wild landscapes hide some of the most remarkable attractions in the world, embracing modern art and allowing visitors to get up close and personal with some of the cutest animals on the planet.
Zao Fox Village
In the mountains near Shiroishi, south of the city of Sendai, six different types of foxes live and play together. Zao Fox Village is one of the best places in the country to see foxes, which roam freely around the preserve and are familiar with humans. Upon entering the village, visitors can buy food for the foxes and get up close to these remarkable creatures which play a prominent role in Japanese folklore. You can visit the fox village easily from Tokyo.
Hashima Island
Hashima Island, commonly known as Gunkanjima, lies abandoned 15 kilometres from the city of Nagasaki. The island, likened to a fortress, is surrounded by a seawall with high-rise buildings jutting out from behind. In the early 1900s, Gunkanjima was developed by the Mitsubishi Corporation, which believed that the island was sitting on a rich submarine coal deposit, according to Atlas Obscura. For the next hundred years, the mine expanded, stretching out underneath the seabed to harvest the coal that was powering Japan’s industrial expansion at the time. Incredibly, by 1941, Gunkanjima was producing 400,000 tonnes of coal every year.
The now eerie buildings accommodated the miners. Blocks of flats were built up on the rock, crammed together to utilise the tiny amount of space. Schools, gaming houses and restaurants were built for the residents. By the mid-1950s, the island housed around 6,000 people. Eventually, the coal ran out. Mitsubishi closed down the mine and the people left, leaving Hashima Island to sit in silence. Today, tourists can visit the island, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, by taking a short boat ride from Nagasaki Port. Tour boats are operated by multiple companies.
Firefly squid in ToyAma Bay
The firefly squid may be small, but they are certainly among the most incredible creatures to see in Japan. At the end of their tentacles are special organs called photophores which light up like glow sticks. Toyama Bay is the best place to catch a glimpse of these alien-like fish. Although the squid usually live 1,200 feet underwater, Toyama Bay’s unique shape means the current pushes the creatures to the surface, revealing a glistening blue glow. Fishermen begin harvesting firefly squid in March and stop in June. To see the ethereal blue glow for yourself, you can head out on a boat in the fishing port at around 3am. For more information on these late-night tours, visit the Hotaruika Museum website.
Okunoshima – Bunny Island
Fluffy bunnies run amok on the island of Okunoshima in the Inland Sea of Japan. Visitors frequent the island to be cuddled by these loveable animals, but the history of this unusual attraction is more sinister than many realise. During World War II, Okunoshima was used to produce chemicals to be used in combat. The rabbits may have been brought to the island to test the effects of these poisonous gasses, and freed once the war ended. Another myth claims that in 1971, schoolchildren brought rabbits to the island where they eventually bred, leading to their current population which is in the thousands.
Margherita and Nick, creators of sustainable nature and adventure travel blog The Crowded Planet, visited Japan in September 2016 for three weeks exploring Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima. “Okunoshima was so much fun!” said Margherita. “We wanted to go to one of the cat islands, because we both really love cats, but we decided to head to Japan’s Rabbit Island, once we saw that the cat islands were hard to get to. After all, rabbits are almost as cute as cats!
“It was an easy day trip from Hiroshima, involving a bullet train, a local train and a ferry. We loved the island for two reasons – first, because it was really beautiful and the views over the Inland Sea are just spectacular, and then also because the island has a dark history, as it was the location of a secret poison gas factory. And then, naturally, there are the bunnies! Make sure you get some rabbit food before you board the ferry as there is none on the island.”
For Wiebke of travel blog Miss Abroad, visiting Okunoshima was a childhood dream realised:
“I love visiting unusual places. When I heard there is an island in Japan that is populated by rabbits, I just had to go. My expectations were quite low – I thought I might see a few bunnies, if I am lucky. In hindsight my trip to Okunoshima was like entering a childhood dream. I didn’t see just a few rabbits, I saw hundreds of bouncing fluffy bunnies of all different shapes, colours and sizes. I literally couldn’t cope with the cuteness. But it wasn’t just the rabbits that fascinated me. The island has also some stunning white, deserted beaches and great viewpoints over the Seto Inland Sea.
“I recommend arriving as early as possible on the island, ideally with the first ferry. It can get crowded later in the day and also, the rabbits will soon get full with all the people feeding them.”
Wiebke also suggests buying rabbit food before you board the ferry: “Stop by the Family Mart (on the side leaving the train station) to buy some food for the bunnies. They have cabbage and carrots in portioned bags. It’s cheaper than getting the food from the ferry ticket counter.”
Okunoin Cemetery
Just 55 miles south of the city of Osaka sits Japan’s largest cemetery. In the forests surrounding Mount Koya, the cemetery is eerily beautiful, with monuments sat atop gravestones. Okunoin is the site of the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi, the founder of Shingon Buddhism, making it one of the most sacred places in Japan. The Ichinohashi Bridge (first bridge) marks the traditional entrance to Okunoin and visitors are expected to bow to pay respect to Kobo Daishi before crossing it. Once inside, the cemetery’s 200,000 tombstones will be revealed. The stones follow a two kilometre approach to the mausoleum.
Benesse Art Site, Naoshima
Artworks are scattered all over the island of Naoshima, hanging on clifftops and perched on the shoreline. Many of the works were donated by the Benesse Corporation and others have added their pieces to the venture to help it thrive as an artistic hub. Tourists can hop on the ferry from the mainland to reach Naoshima.
In the 1980s, the chairman of Fukutake Publishing was searching for a home for their corporate art collection. Rather than opting for a museum in Tokyo, the chairman decided to see if the islands he remembered from his childhood might benefit from the collection. Years later, with the help of architect Tadao Ando and support from the local community, Benesse Art Site was born.
There are multiple museums, galleries and outdoor sculpture gardens dotted throughout the island. Expect works from artists from all over the world, including the likes of David Hockney and Andy Warhol, as well as prominent Japanese artists. Jen Avery of budget travel blog Thrifty Nomads enjoyed exploring Naoshima on a trip to Japan with her partner Ted, and kindly told us about their experience:
“Naoshima is an intriguing place – the entire island itself feels like an art gallery that is larger than life. The ferry was a scenic and relaxing way to get there and certainly adds to the whole experience. We were pleasantly surprised by how eclectic (and tiny!) the island was. We rented bikes from our accommodation and explored much of the island, visiting every exhibit and sculpture. It was a very unique adventure, especially for Japan.”
With so much to see at Benesse Art Site, we asked Jen to tell us about some of the highlights: “Definitely Yayoi Kusama’s yellow pumpkin installation. We had seen photos of it, but to visualise it in person with the smell of the ocean and soft beach around it was amazing. We visited the installation at dusk, which I’d definitely recommend.
“Another highlight was an immersive installation that had patrons sitting in complete darkness, and the art would only reveal itself after your eyes had adjusted to the total lack of light. It was calming, reflective and unexpected. I like immersive art that is surprising like that.”
If you’re planning a visit to Naoshima, Jen has some handy advice: “Definitely rent a bike and explore the island as much as you can. Map out which sculptures you want to visit and be free! Talk to locals about their favourite pieces (there are always new ones coming in). Staying in the main part of town (near the ferry port) is advised since the island itself is quite sparse, and you’ll find more cafes and restaurants in that area.”
Ninja Museum of Iga-ryu
Learn about the history of ninja stealth and skill at the Ninja Museum. Located in the city of Iga in the central Kii Peninsula (55 miles from Osaka), the museum guides visitors through the history of the ninja through artifacts, secret passages and demonstrations. It’s believed ninjas were established during the medieval Sengoku period in the mid-15th century. Often described as being somewhere between a spy and a mercenary, ninjas gathered sensitive information and performed assassinations. This interactive museum is perfect for those interested in discovering this unique aspect of Japanese history.
Nishiki Market
Known as ‘Kyoto’s Kitchen’, Nishiki Market is a narrow, five-block shopping street with more than a hundred shops and restaurants. Originally a fish wholesale district, this is the place to be if you’re looking for authentic Japanese cuisine, particularly sweets, pickles, dried seafood and sushi. As many of the local foods are difficult to identify, the stallholders are more than happy to give out samples. If you find something you like, there are plenty of places to sit down for a meal. Nishiki Market is an assault on the senses, in the best possible way, so it’s highly recommended on a visit to Kyoto.
Margherita of The Crowded Planet loved visiting Nishiki Market and kindly told us about her experience: “Can I just summarise everything with one word – YUM! Just kidding. The only other market in Japan we had been to before Nishiki was Tsukiji, and the two markets couldn’t be more different! Tsukiji is just mental, whereas Nishiki is slow and calm – a bit crowded, yes, but much less frantic.
“The food is almost too beautiful to eat! We tried so many delicious goodies – red octopus on a stick, roasted chestnuts, pumpkin with miso, mocha, green tea ice cream and more! We loved the fact that you can have street food in the market in a country where ‘grab and go’ street food like that is a lot less popular than in other Asian countries. We would definitely love to visit the market again and buy more souvenirs next time!”
Ninja Akasaka
Dine in a restaurant staffed by ninjas at Ninja Akasaka. Guests can step four centuries back in time and dine in Edo period style. At this time, ninjas were spy warriors, recruited to perform assassinations and gather information. Visitors can order their food from scrolls as the waiters disappear into the darkness. The trained ninjas reappear out of thin air with the dishes, entertaining guests with martial arts demonstrations. Ninja Akasaka can be found in the district of Nagatacho in Tokyo.
Tower of the Sun
During Japan’s Expo ’70 (an international exhibition held in Osaka in 1970) the Tower of the Sun rose proudly from the huge tent surrounding it. After decades of neglect, the unusual sculpture has been refurbished and is now open to visitors. Standing at 230 feet, the tower is the work of artist Tarõ Okamoto and was built to represent the past, present and future. It’s said that the golden face at the top represents the future, the segmented face in the centre represents the present, and the mysterious face on the back of the structure represents the past.
Miracle Pine
Around 70,000 trees once lined the shore of Rikuzentakata, however only one remained after the 2011 tsunami. Today, it is known as the miracle pine. The tree, which stands at 90 feet and had until recently lived for 200 years, could not survive the saline content in the earth after the tsunami, and died 18 months later. A sculpture was erected in 2013 to return the tree permanently to the shoreline, formed over a metal mold.
Sand Museum
Carved from 3,000 tonnes of sand, this remarkable museum creates sculptures of famous buildings, people and artworks. The Sand Museum sits in Tottori, a coastal city famous for its 10 miles of sand dunes. As the beach is so popular, the city decided to capitalise on this by creating the museum. The first exhibit was based on the work of artists including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo and opened in 2006. By 2012, the yearly exhibit was moved to a permanent home. The sculptures stand from mid-April to the following January, before they’re destroyed to make way for new ones.
Fruit-shaped bus stops in Nagasaki
If you’re travelling by bus on your holiday to Japan, you may just stumble upon Nagasaki’s fruit shaped bus stops. Wait for your transport in a giant melon, strawberry or orange in the town of Kongai. The fruit stops, originally built as part of a 1999 expo in Osaka (450 miles away), became incredibly popular and were replicated in other parts of Japan.
Experience an oiran makeover
During the Edo period (1600 to 1868), courtesan culture arose, leading to the introduction of the oiran. Although oiran were considered a type of yujo (‘woman of pleasure’) in these times, they were entertainers and many became celebrities, praised for their fashion. This fascinating part of Japan’s cultural history is still very much talked about today, and travellers can take the opportunity to learn more about the lives of the oiran on their trip to the country.
We caught up with Cory and G, a British couple and bloggers at You Could Travel, to find out about their experience of learning about the oiran in Japan, and why they love the country so much:
“We love how well-organised and efficient everything is,” said Cory. “The food is fantastic, the service is the best and we like the cityscape. Most importantly, we love the quirks of Japan, starting with the Japanese love for anime, through their passion for visual merchandise, to incredible technological advancements.
“I would say enjoying an oirian makeover would probably be a unique experience. We loved learning about the history of the oiran and samurai. The makeover took about 4 hours in total and included lunch, a tea experience and a photoshoot. Needless to say, the service was impeccable and the hosts were incredible.”
Rice paddy art, Inakadate
Locals in the small town of Inakadate have been growing rice for over 2,000 years. Until 1933, this was pretty much all the town was known for. But the townspeople had an idea to bring in tourist revenue and to drum up interest in Inakadate – they began creating artworks in the rice paddies. Using techniques based on their knowledge of agriculture, and modern technology, the locals created impressive pieces of art featuring a whole host of subjects. Although it’s a huge amount of work involving over a thousand locals, the results are spectacular, stretching hundreds of feet across the fields.
Swan lake, Mount Fuji
Just over 80 miles from Tokyo sits one of the world’s most famous natural sights, Mount Fuji. This iconic volcano is surrounded by an area known as Fuji-Goko or ‘Fuji Five Lakes’. The cluster of lakes around the northern edge of Mount Fuji provides a haven for swans. Thus, this weird and wonderful Japanese attraction was born. The swan ferry boat carries passengers around the largest of the five lakes, Lake Yamanaka, offering unbeatable views over the volcano.
Robot Restaurant
Tokyo’s Robot Restaurant is perhaps one of the most well-known and bizarre attractions in Japan. Flashing neon lights lure visitors into the underground restaurant in the district of Kabukicho, before putting on a truly unusual spectacle. Huge robots parade and dance on the stage in front of gobsmacked onlookers, who are served a selection of traditional Japanese food to enjoy during the show. Margherita and Nick of travel blog The Crowded Planet noted this experience as one of the highlights of their trip to Japan: “I recommend everyone to go to the Robot Restaurant in Shinjuku! It’s just, mental. You have to see it to believe it. It’s a real extravaganza show, one and a half hours of over the top everything. So much fun, trust me!”
Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum
On your tour of Japan, you absolutely cannot miss out on trying its national dish – ramen. But you should also check out the museum dedicated to ramen. Celebrating all things noodle, the museum leads visitors through the history of this unique dish, which actually originated in China. Expect to see ramen advertisements from throughout the ages, vintage ramen memorabilia and interactive displays showing you how instant ramen factories work. Of course, you can also tuck into a bowl of tasty ramen at the museum.
Japan is a fascinating country to visit in every respect. Its unique culture and willingness to embrace the futuristic and eccentric has made it one of the most exciting places in the world. Have you visited any of these weird and wonderful attractions? If so, we’d love to hear your recommendations!
For the lowdown on when to go, take a look at our Best Time to Visit Japan page
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Image credits: Addy Cameron-Huff, Jean-Marie Hullot, Aapo Haapanen, Yari Hotaka, Travis, Eddy Milfort, DavideGoria, Brian Shemblen, Naoshima images – Thrifty Nomads, ajari
