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    When we write about our travels in Japan, we focus on those little-known spots—that cafe down a sidestreet, hiding between a watch-repair shop and a place that does tombstone engraving. Have you ever been to a greenhouse filled with salvaged mannequins? We have. Other travel guides cover the "must-see" destinations, and that's fine. But when you're done with those, check out our travel articles. You'll end up with experiences you'll be talking about for years.
    1. Nalu & 76 Cafe: Getting Your Hair Cut in Japan Tokyo's best hair salon with a cafe attached

      | Mami Suzuki
    2. 84: The Secret Members-Only Bar Frequented by Famous Artists, Musicians, and Nintendo Employees And we can't tell you where it is 😉

      | Kanae Nakamine
    3. Momotarō Jinja: A Surreal Shrine to Japan’s Peach Boy With Weird Statues That Were Probably Pretty Neat in the 60s

      | Mami Suzuki
    4. Kichijoji Yūrei: Tokyo’s Haunted Underground Izakaya Leave your body at the door and drink spirits with spirits

      | Mami Suzuki
    5. Gaocchi: Japanese Toys from Floor-to-Ceiling Relive Your or Someone Else's Japanese Childhood

      | Michael Richey
    6. Meguro Parasitological Museum: A Wonderland of Tapeworms and Malaria Be glad these things don't live inside you (probably)

      | Koichi
    7. Izu Shaboten Park's Capybara Onsen The world's largest rodent gets friendly (and clean!)

      | Linda Lombardi
    8. Kagaya Izakaya: Frog is Stranger Than Fiction In ten years, this tiny basement izakaya is our first, and only, perfect score.

      | Koichi
    9. Aburaya - The Original Edo Period Inn in Haibara, Nara Exactly as it was over 300 years ago

      | Mami Suzuki
    10. Takeda Castle A beautiful sight in any season, at any time

      | Mami Suzuki
    11. Sakurajima - Japan's Most Active Volcano The Japanese volcano with the most personality

      | Mami Suzuki
    12. Seria: Japan’s Best 100 Yen Shop My absolute favorite 100 YEN shop in Japan

      | Mami Suzuki
    13. Plataku - The Takara Tomy Plarail Cafe Full of Trains Have your train and eat it too

      | Mami Suzuki
    14. Shin-Yokohama Raumen Museum One bowl of soup, with a trip back in time on the side please

      | Linda Lombardi
    15. Daiki Suisan - Super Fresh Sushi Cut out the middleman and go straight ot the sushi source

      | Mami Suzuki
    16. Kaihou Souko: The Massive Japanese Secondhand Warehouse If you like to collect anything, this is your store

      | Mami Suzuki
    17. Huis Ten Bosch, The Dutch Theme Park in Japan Cultural mismatch, a toilet ghost, One Piece, and real actual cheese!

      | Verity Lane
    18. Daienji Temple and its Many Statues Go here to heal your body with gold or get your baby out of hell

      | Mami Suzuki
    19. Kurashiki - The Quiet Birthplace Of Momotaro Quaint buildings, river tours, history, pudding, and jeans

      | Verity Lane
    20. Miyamoto Musashi's Reigando Cave The cave where Japan's greatest swordsman penned his masterpiece

      | Adam Ledford
    21. Tonkatsu Shimizu, Kyoto's Rakugaki Bar Scrawl your woes all over the walls then, drown them in pork and alcohol

      | Mami Suzuki
    22. The Butsudan Altar Drive-Thru As exciting as driving past religious implements can get

      | Mami Suzuki
    23. The Kinugawa Robot Sex Museum Less like robots, more like mannequins

      | Koichi
    24. Hamamatsu JASDF Air Park and Museum Cosplay as an Air Self-Defense Forces pilot

      | Mami Suzuki
    25. Aton Toy Museum: 30,000 Vintage Toys in Nara More Showa-Era toys than you can shake a stick at

      | Mami Suzuki
    26. Tokushima Ramen Festival This ramen's only been around since 1999, and it already has its own festival. That should tell you something.

      | Rich
    27. Nukumori No Mori: The Ghibli-Inspired Fantasy Village Levels of charm (and cake!) like you wouldn't believe

      | Mami Suzuki
    28. Fukagawa Edo Museum Get away from the oppression of weather and go back in time to old Edo

      | Linda Lombardi
    29. Kurokawa Onsen - Where I Go To Relax No matter your level of stress, 24 hot springs should take care of it

      | Verity Lane
    30. Aka Island - Okinawa's Secluded Paradise Japan's most beautiful--and secluded--diving spot

      | Mami Suzuki
    31. Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum Putting the MMmmmmm in MSG

      | Koichi
    32. Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery and Museum A museum jam-packed with history and traditional Japanese alcohol.

      | Rich
    33. The Kyoto Taiko Center The best place for tourists to pay to play Japan's traditional drums in Japan's traditional city

      | Erin Grace
    34. The Osaka Highway That Lives in a Skyscraper If you've ever wanted to drive your car through a building, this place is for you

      | Mami Suzuki
    35. Neon Blue Curry And The NicoNico Headquarters Cafe wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

      | Koichi
    36. CLAMP COFFEE SARASA - Fresh Roasted Coffee in Kyoto Cozy atmosphere, rustic decor, and bacon cake

      | Mami Suzuki
    37. Nara's Gorgeous Flower-Filled Hasedera Temple Come for the flowers, stay for the eleven-faced deity

      | Mami Suzuki
    38. Riding The World's Shortest Escalator: The Puchicalator The shortest amount of fun we've ever had

      | Koichi
    39. Tokyo's Pop-Up Toy and Candy Shops: Kashiya Yokochou Edoya Relive your childhood or, if you are a child, just live

      | Mami Suzuki
    40. Meguro Gajoen's Million Dollar Toilet Room When you want to know how Scrooge McDuck feels when he urinates. tags: meguro gajoen

      | Mami Suzuki
    41. Mori Otani Pottery Studio Rich with history and hands-on experiences.

      | Rich
    42. SUMO Wrestling at Ryogoku-Kokugikan Sumo wrestling at its finest. The most popular place to see sumo is also the best.

      | Mami Suzuki