Celebrating the most weird and wonderful attractions Japan has to offer, there are some rather unique and unusual things to do in Japan – from Nagano to Nagoya, Kobe to Kyoto, we’ve seen some surreal sights and love all that Japan has to offer.
From a ‘crap’ museum to maid cafes, fake food to a frog Street, there are lots of unusual things about Japan that are Kawaii and kitsch in equal parts.
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Covering cool and curious gachapons, the beautifully bizarre Nagoya Nana-chan plus Japan’s very own Statue of Liberty, there is something to suit all tastes.
Here is our ultimate guide to the most unusual things to do in Japan with photos.
You might like – Our guide to the top 30+ Tokyo kawaii things to do >
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Weird and unusual things to do in Japan
1. View the golden turd of Asakusa AKA Asahi Beer Tower
One of the unusual Tokyo finds is the ‘golden turd’ located in Asakusa. Well it isn’t actually meant to be this but many locals think it resembles a giant dump – and we don’t want to ‘poo-poo’ the idea.
Walk down to Sumida River Walk by Azuma Bridge and take a look up – you’ll see the Asahi Beer Head Office (said to look like a pint of beer). They must have a few free beers in the office when coming up with the design ideas!
The sculpture on the top was commissioned by Asahi at great cost (what a ‘crap’ waste of money) and is meant to look like a yellow flame as well but the locals jokingly thought it just looked like ‘sh*t’ – literally!
You might like – 45 things to do in Tokyo at night >
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2. Unusual Japanese vending machines
The joy of Japanese vending machines – from hot sauce to horse mackerel, gyoza to gachapon, there is a huge variety of vending machines in Japan to browse and buy from.
Open 24 hours and easy to use, no trip to Japan is complete without using a vending machine to buy daily groceries like soft drinks and snacks (or even soup stock).
There are even more ‘adult’ vending machines in Japan like ‘Tenga toys’.
There are literally millions of automated machines all over the country. From prices to unusual products, here is our ultimate guide to unusual Japanese vending machines >
3. Weird Gashapon Capsule Toys in Japan
Popular with otaku (オタク – Japanese pop culture) and visiting tourists, Gachapon machines in Japan are vending machines that dispense capsule toys in a small round plastic case.
Whilst many are very cute and Kawaii or awesome anime and manga characters, there are some rather more unusual (possibly weird) gashapon capsule toys we spotted including:
- Business Hotel Miniature furniture (including a tiny trouser press)
- Animal butts or sauna animals
- Sushi by foreigners
- Chopping board kitchen mascots
- Horse race starting gates
- Kasapon Gashapon (tiny umbrella bagging machines) & many more…
Did you know the word gachapon actually derives from the sounds made as you collect your capsule toy – ‘gacha / gasha’ for the ratchet noise as you crank the turning wheel on the vending machine? Whilst ‘pon’ relates to the noise of your round capsule landing in the toy tray at the end. Cool!
Check our guide to the 40+ coolest and most unusual gachapon capsule toys in Japan >
4. Daikon Radish Festival
Yes, you read that right – this was one of the more unusual Japanese festivals that we encountered.
The daikon radish festival is held every 7th January at Matsuchiyama Shoden in Asakusa, Tokyo whereby worshippers gift daikon radishes to the deity Shōden.
Hundreds of radishes are left in the main hall at Matsuchiyama Shoden, culminating in them being chopped up, served with miso and given back to locals.
The Tokyo Daikon Radish festival lasts just one day and we also witnessed a traditional dance show and puppetry performances. The daikon radish festival is free to attend.
You might like – Otaku Japan: 20 anime, manga & weeb activities in Japan >
5. Japanese Maid Cafes & Butler Cafes
Maid in Japan! Ask anyone about what first comes to mind when mentioning unusual Japanese cafes and it is likely they’ll say Maid Cafes.
There are at least a dozen maid cafes in Akihabara (Tokyo) and most of them have huge banners and billboards (professional, not home-maid…sorry not sorry) on the sides of tall buildings looking down over the streets.
Each Japanese maid cafe / cosplay cafe is different (most don’t allow photographs inside) and the most popular maid cafe chain in Japan is Maid-Dreamin.
Expect to pay higher than normal prices for the food and drink inside maid cafes plus some wonderfully wacky service. There is also a Yellowtail Butler Cafe in Ikebukuro where male butlers offer top class service.
Book your Maid Dreaming experience in Akihabara here (over 1k booked already)>
You might like – Top 20+ Japanese chain shops or the best things to buy in Daiso
Love cute and ‘kawaii’ stores in Japan?
Check out our shopping guides!
• Tokyo Character Street stores
• Studio Ghibli stores
• Don Quijote stores
• Doraemon Future Department store
• B-Side Label stores
• Mandarake stores
• Best Gachapon Capsule toys
• Pokémon Center Mega Tokyo
Plus our guide to the best kawaii things to do in Tokyo >
6. TENGA and TENGA LAND
One of the more ‘stimulating’ and unusual things to do in Japan, the new adult store TENGA Land opened in 2024 in Tokyo Plaza Harajuku ‘Harakado’ and is quite the arresting attraction – make sure you ‘come soon’.
Possibly best described as a suction tube showroom(!), we’re so ‘excited’ to learn more about TENGA, Japan’s top (self) love toy.
There are lots of lovely latex gadgets and fantastic plastic gadgets on display here that bring the male ‘members’ of Japan great ‘pleasure’.
TENGA suction cups are a popular self-love tool widely available in adult shops and even Don Quijote stores, Japan’s largest discount chain. Tens of millions of TENGA products have been sold in over 40 countries worldwide too.
Tokyo’s TENGA Land in Harajuku is totally unique, weird and wonderful BUT possibly not for everyone so find out more in our guide to all things TENGA >
You might like these Tokyo neighbourhood guides:
Akihabara
Asakusa
Ginza
Harajuku
Ikebukuro
Nakano
Odaiba
Ryogoku
Shibuya
Shimokitazawa
Shinjuku
Also check out our
Where to stay in Tokyo guide
7. Kuidaore Tarō Osaka Clown
If you are walking the streets of Dotonbori in Osaka, you’ll likely see a colourful and comical character – the Osaka Clown, known as Kuidaore Tarō.
Kuidaore Tarō is the famous mechanical Osaka clown character, dressed in red and white stripes banging a big drum and the mascot of Dotonbori.
If you love clowns this is great, but if you hate ‘em (the fear of clowns is known as ‘Coulrophobia’), this can be kind of creepy seeing his grinning plastic face all over Osaka.
Such is his popularity, there is even a Kuidaore Tarō clown gift shop in the Nakaza Kuidaore Building where you can buy everything from clown magnets to circus sweets.
Check out our guide to the Osaka clown, Kuidaore Tarō >
8. Nagoya-City Nana-chan Mannequin
One of the more weird and wonderful things to do in Nagoya, this gigantic mannequin named Nana-chan stands a whopping 20-feet tall and is famous for her seasonal costume changes including swimsuits, dresses, santa outfits, kimonos and even Wonder Woman!
A beloved city icon, Nana-chan was installed in 1973 to advertise products for the Meitetsu Department Store which she stands in-front of.
Located near Nagoya Station, the mannequin is regularly used by locals as a meeting place.
You can check out some of her past outfits on the Meitetsu Department Store website.
You might like – Our guides to Tokyo baseball games or Tokyo sumo wrestling
9. Miwa Jinja Shrine AKA the Rabbit Shrine, Nagoya
Whilst in Nagoya, ‘hop’ along to the rabbit temple.
Miwa Jinja shrine (also known locally as the Shrine of Happiness) has a strong rabbit presence as the shrine’s deity (God) is said to be the same as Okuninushi, who was famous for his role in the legend of the Hare of Inaba, resulting in the strong connection to rabbits.
Popular with couples, the Miwa Jinja Shrine is believed to have strong powers over love and marriage – worshippers can wish for a long partnership by tying a string of fortune next to the 400+ year old ‘Tree of Marriage’.
Full of cute decorations plus a special torii gate and shop manned by old ladies, Miwa Jinja Shrine certainly brought up happiness and was one of our favourite things to do in Nagoya.
10. Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Annex, Tokyo’s Fox Temple
From a rabbit temple to a fox shrine – Toyokawa Inari Tokyo Annex Temple is famous for its fleet of fox statues, often dressed in red ceremonial clothes.
The Inari foxes span the temple as they are one of the principal deities of Shinto beliefs – you’ll also spot a few stone frogs too (who knew foxes and frogs got on so well)?
The temple is pretty small but is one of the more unusual shrines we encountered in Japan – it was also quiet compared to the bigger temples.
You might like – Our guides to Japanese convenience stores including 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson plus ‘konbini’ egg sandwiches
11. Fukuoka’s Xylophone Bridge / Melody Bridge at Nanzoin
One of the more unusual things to do in Fukuoka, next to Nanzoin Temple, there is a xylophone bridge known as the Melody Bridge (メロディー・ブリッジ) which goes across the local Tatara River.
If you want to play it (musical eh), be sure to bring your own ‘mallets’ as we couldn’t see any on our visit – each of the metal musical pieces have the notes etched on the side.
Find out more about Nanzoin Temple in Fukuoka >
You might also like our things to do in Fukuoka guide >
12. Kobe Elvis Presley statue
Elvis never visited Japan yet one of only three official Elvis statues is in Kobe (uh-huh-huh!).
We’re all shook up by this revelation. More unusual yet, the Japanese Elvis statue was originally installed in Harajuku, Tokyo, before being moved to Kobe station then here.
We just hope they don’t Return (it) To Sender!
You might like Plan My Japan’s guide to things to do in Kobe >
13. Shinjuku Godzilla head
Perhaps the most famous sight and attraction in Shinjuku, the ‘roarsome’ Godzilla head sits atop Hotel Gracery Shinjuku and the Shinjuku Toho Building, looking out across Tokyo’s sublime cityscape.
If you are lucky enough to stay at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, there are even some rooms you can pay a premium for to look out across the city with Shinjuku Godzilla’s head in shot. Plus there is a small viewing deck next to it and lots of Godzilla theming across the hotel.
Don’t worry, if you aren’t staying in the hotel, you can still get a great view of Shinjuku Godzilla from Shinjuku Central road, next to Don Quijote Shinjuku Kabukicho.
You might like – Our guide to 40+ Japanese Kit Kat flavours >
14. Rent a friend
So this isn’t something we’ve personally done but there are loads of Instagram stories and TikToks about renting friends or grandparents in Tokyo, to accompany you whilst sightseeing, help you carry shopping or generally just be a shoulder to cry on.
Or you can even hire a fake boyfriend or girlfriend if you want to make someone jealous or introduce them to your parents.
One of the most well known Japanese rent a friend companies is called Client Partners – otherwise you can always find local guides and tours via Get Your Guide.
You might like – Our guide to Japan’s biggest UNIQLO in Ginza, Tokyo >
15. Japan KFC buckets at Christmas
A tasty but possibly unusual Japanese Christmas tradition, lots of locals order in the famous KFC Christmas buckets every year (you can almost hear the turkeys breathe a collective sigh of relief).
Families sit around a big bucket on or near to Christmas day and these limited edition KFC Christmas buckets must be ordered in advance, usually from early November – talk about a ‘clucking’ good Christmas in Japan!
It is said that the whole thing came to be when one KFC store manager in the late 1970s heard an expat moaning about the lack of turkey in Japan. As fried chicken was the closest thing, a marketing campaign began and a new tradition grew.
Christmas KFC boxes usually contain a lot of chicken, chocolate cake, shrimp gratin, gravy and sometimes seasonal specials. Nom!
Check out our guide to the best Christmas markets and lights in Tokyo >
You might like – 35 tastiest Japanese foods to try or top 20+ Japanese chain restaurants
16. Odaiba Statue of Liberty
No, you aren’t seeing things as you approach Odaiba – there really is a replica, scaled down version of the Statue of Liberty in Tokyo.
A little bit of the USA in Odaiba, this novel New York replica was unveiled over 20 years ago as a sign of appreciation to the people of France for the ongoing positive relationship between Japan and France – sugoi!
Although smaller than the real thing (it is 1/7th scale), the Odaiba Statue of Liberty is an incredible replica and free to visit.
Another utterly unusual thing to do in Japan, it may come as a surprise that this isn’t the only Statue of Liberty replica in Japan – there are ‘sister’ statues in the Osaka American Village and Shimoda.
You might like Plan My Japan’s area guide to the Odaiba district in Tokyo >
17. Osaka Wolfen
If you are visiting Osaka at night, look out for the Tonbori Wolfen!
A mythical (and often musical) mascot of mystery wearing a blue hooded coat and wolf-mask, Osaka’s Wolf man / Wolfen is a weird and wonderful thing to see (or hear) down by the river at night.
From waving at the passengers on the Tombori River Cruises to removing dirt from Osaka’s streets (literally, like litter picking, not in the Superman sense), the Osaka Wolfman has kind of become a Dotonbori attraction in his own lifetime.
He is a ‘furry’ interesting thing to spot too (even for Osaka!) – although this wolf prefers to play the melodica rather than howl at the moon at night!
From where to spot the Wolf of Dotonbori to his musical abilities, learn more about the cult of the Tonbori Wolfen in Osaka >
18. Unusual animal cafes
Japan has a slight weird obsession with unusual animal cafes, from hedgehog restaurants to otter cafes, dog dessert places to chinchilla cafes.
We’ve written about this in more detail in our Tokyo Takeshita Street guide but some of the more unusual cafes in Japan include:
Wakabayashi Otter Cafe
Yes, you read that right – Takeshita-dori is home to an otter cafe. There are 16 adorable otters, from Guu to Goro, Shippo to Shizuka.
Micro pig cafe Harajuku
A cute piggy cafe that recreates a colourful forest inside – just don’t ask for the bacon sandwich…
Book your micro pig cafe experience in Harajuku with Klook >
Hedgehog Cafe in Harajuku
Head on over to the Hedgehog cafe in Tokyo – the service can be a bit ‘spiky’ (sorry not sorry).
Book your hedgehog experience >
You might like – Our guide to Don Quijote, Japan’s most joyful discount store >
19. Japanese fake food ‘sanpuru’
Fantastic plastic food! Known as ‘shokuhin sanpuru’ in Japan (食品サンプル means food sample), these fake foods and plastic models of pints can be seen all over Japan, in restaurant windows and outdoor displays.
‘Sanpuru’ in Japan is big business with millions of pieces of plastic foods and sublime samples that look good enough to eat (literally). So realistic and life-like, you can even make your own sampuru and plastic food models whilst in Japan
Kappabashi Street in Asakusa is Tokyo’s culinary capital for buying or making your own plastic food models and wonderful wax workshops – try saying that after sipping several sakes (the real thing, not plastic models).
From superb sanpuru and fine food models we’ve spotted to gachapon miniature food, here is our guide to the cult of ‘sanpuru’ / fake plastic foods in Tokyo >
Make your own plastic food workshop in Tokyo >
20. Unko Museum / Poop Museum Tokyo
‘Poop culture’ at its finest and one of the ‘cr@ppiest’, unique things to do in Tokyo – but in a weird and wonderful way!
Best described as a poop inspired Tokyo theme park, the Unko / Poo Museum might not be for everyone (don’t poo-poo the idea) but kids will surely love it.
From big pink poos to colorful ‘cr@ps’, Unko Museum in Odaiba is very different from most other Tokyo attractions.
One of the immersive activities is to sit down on a toilet, yell “UNKOOOO!” and generate your own poop friend that will accompany you inside (we are not making this up) – or take a dive in a ‘poop-filled’ ball pit (!!!).
Book your discounted Unko / Poop Museum Tokyo tickets here >
21. Unusual Japanese manhole covers
Japan is one of the most beautiful countries in the world but not just because of its scenic landscapes or natural wonders.
Look down towards the sidewalk and you’ll see joyful Japanese manhole covers with incredible designs and artwork. There are even several official Japanese Manhole cover fan clubs and appreciation societies!
Japanese Manhole covers (マンホール蓋 – Manhōru futa) are colorful and often delightfully designed with intricate patterns creating an urban utopia out of what is usually just a drab sewer cover.
Acting like billboards for creative cities and pretty prefectures, Japanese manhole covers can be miniature works of work including everything from Japanese sumo wrestlers to historic castles and anime characters.
From manhole cover pop-culture to the most beautiful pavement patterns, check out these Japanese manhole cover designs >
22. Japan’s Ninja Bar
Heard about the ‘underground’ ninja bar in Tokyo? Asakusa is usually associated with Sensō-ji and Kappabashi street but beneath its streets lies a very unique and unusual thing to do in Tokyo – the subterranean NinjaBar, Tokyo’s top themed ninja bar.
A sake and beer bar operated by a secretive and stealthy ninja, the NinjaBar is a fun night out in Asakusa and a fun experience with over 300 sakes to choose from.
From the quirky interiors to drink prices (and the samurai sword toilet key), release your inner ‘otaku’ with our full guide to drinking in Tokyo’s NinjaBar >
23. Billiken statues in Osaka
Walking around Osaka, you’ll regularly see a curious character called Billiken, a golden mascot and statue. The Billiken Statues will often have shiny feet – this is from all the locals and tourists rubbing his toes to bring them good luck.
Referred to as the ‘God of Things As They Should Be’, Billiken was actually created by a school teacher in the USA in the early 20th century. It became popular in Osaka around 1908 and started popping up in people’s homes and even a theme park.
You might like – 35 things to do in Osaka at night >
24. Cup Noodles Museum
Oodles of instant noodles! No trip to Yokohama in Japan is complete without a trip to the famous Nissin Cup Noodles Museum.
An interactive experience inspired by Japan’s iconic original instant noodles, the Cup Noodles Museum is a must visit for any noodle fans and enthusiasts (aren’t we all!?)
From designing your own instant cup noodle to one of Japan’s most quirky gift-shops and themed noodle food-courts, there are many fun things to do in the Cup Noodles Museum in Yokohama.
Check out our guide to visiting the Nissin Cup Noodles Museum >
You might like – Things to do in Yokohama, Japan >
25. Nawate Street AKA Matsumoto’s Frog Street
Hop to it! Simply beautiful, Matsumoto’s famous frog street is called Nawate Street. Yes, there really is a frog street in Matsumoto – no croak!
Full of old fashioned stores and nostalgic souvenir shops, a walk along Nawate Street is like taking a step back in time – this pedestrianised shopping street also has lots of frog motifs along the way including a HUGE frog statue.
At the end of Nawate Street, you’ll find Yohashire Shrine (more on this in a moment), where a frog God is enshrined – the whole area is a fine froggy foray and known as a sacred place for frogs.
Nawate Dori used to be a small strip of land that ran between the Metoba River and Matsumoto Castle moat and means ‘rope’ (nawa) and ‘riverbank’ (dote).
Nawate Street is one of the nicest areas to explore in Matsumoto, whether you are a frog fan or not – many local souvenirs and snacks can be bought along here and it is very photogenic.
You might like our things to do in Matsumoto guide >
Our final ‘unusual thing to do in Japan’
26. Hachikō Memorial Statue
Japan’s most famous dog, Hachikō was a faithful hound (Japanese Akita Dog) who waited for his master every day outside Shibuya train station for almost 10 years after his owner’s death (so sad).
Hachikō’s owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, would leave for work every day and Hachikō would stroll down to Shibuya station at the same time every day to greet him home. This continued for 9 years and 9 months after Ueno’s death, until Hachikō also died.
There have been several Hachikō Memorial Statues cast (the original from the 1930s was recast to help with the war effort) and the current Hachiko dog statue outside Shibuya station has been there since 1948.
Every March 8 is Hachikō day when 100s of dog owners and well-wishers congregate by the statue to remember Japan’s most loyal dog.
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