From an exclusive island where you need a reason to visit it; a gigantic Buddha who/that likes to be outside,; a temple with rows and rows and rows of Jizo statues; …
… to Takato, home in July for fluffs and fluffs and fluffs of cherry blossoms; here are some more of the most unusual, unique, weird, odd, out-of-this-world, one-of-a-kind, outlandish, interesting and fun places, things, and events in Japan…
I’ll start with a viewers’ favorite post…
Gotokuji Temple is not just a regular Japanese temple. To its side is a small area filled with waving cats.
Maneki neko or beckoning cats, are believed to bring good luck.
This might as well be the luckiest place on Earth! 😀
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In Kawasaki, they held a festival with the ….uhm …. ah …. it’s the …. uhm … it’s ahhh….uhm….something that…uhm…that ahh …. the thing where …. uhm …. the penis 😀 as its central theme.
What’s even yummy … ehem … funny about it is that you can see women and men … uhm …. okay, I’m just gonna say …. sucking on penis lollipops 😀 😀 😀 everywhere during the event.
The annual event is totally contradictory to Japan’s nature. Today, Kawasaki Fertility Festival is used to raise money for HIV research.
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You wouldn’t participate in a Jenga game that is, say, a 100 feet tall, would you? Or like a horseshoe that weighs 50 pounds? Well, Okinawa’s cranked the game of tug of war to the highest level. Every year, a giant rope of over 650 feet is laid on a street of Naha and get pulled by hundred thousands of people.
It was exhausting, but so much fun! I love how ridiculously excessive Okinawa is with so many things. 🙂
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Still don’t like crowds, what about an amusing one? Shibuya Crossing …
It is said that about 2,500 people cross this junction at one time, and 250,000 to 500,000 everyday. Most people cross it just to cross it. Not exactly because they need to, but just to be part of it or simply to experience the craze.
Scramble crossing in Shibuya is a kind of a bucket list to check when you travel to Tokyo. Shibuya Crossing is one people-infested area that I think is enjoyable to watch; especially with people waving their cellphone around as they cross the street.
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There is a national park in Fukushima, Japan that has lakes with five colors.
Although, it’s only two-and-a-half for me ….
… because I am colorblind. Ha! 😀
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The snow monkeys in Nagano, Japan are so amusing to watch!
They walk around the area like it’s nobody’s monkey business.
They are like celebrity monkeys over there. They know they are the superstars, and they do not mind posing for the camera.
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I’ma leave this post with another place for adorable and entertaining animals.
In Machida, there is a “garden” filled with …. squirrels!!! Visitors can wear gloves and feed the squirrels with nuts.
As one of my commentators said, cuteness overload!
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Japan is unique in every sense. I decided to do this post early to make room for more unique places in Japan I go to in the future. 😉
Last Call …
If you’re intrigued by one of these unique stuff, either click on the links or try the Search tab.
I also have Unique California and Unique Greece on this blog.
And finally, Arigato Gozaimas for all the linkage, re-blogs, and Facebook shares!
The Sophomore Slump 
Definitely unique Rommel. Fantastic photos, I enjoyed your art and humor very much.
As a foreigner in Japan, I definitely find myself smiling at the things I see or witness here. It’s certainly enjoyable and … enlightening. 😉
I had trouble getting past the ….fertility festival. And today I feel as though I have seen it all.
😀 … but I’m just starting. 🙂
Really cool, I’m not sure about men and p***s lollies though!
People buy those lollies and even display at home. 😀 …. for everyone to see. 🙂
Amazing photos that lead one from the ordinary to the edges of the wonderful and beyond. Thank you.
Yup! Japan is like from a whole ‘nother dimension. 🙂
A new understanding of the Japanese today ha! Certainly don’t do anything half-heartedly. Great shots Rommel.
Thanks Karen. I actually enjoy and love making collection posts.
It’s the call of the wild for me! Not for nothing is my middle name Tarzan 🙂 🙂
This looks like such an interesting place to be.
Never been to Japan so I enjoyed the overview.
… and there’s so much more about Japan than these unique features. 😉
Japan takes unique to a new level. I really love that first image Rommel.
I love that image too. It is one of the few photos that I actually sent it to a magazine, for some sort of a contest, but it seemed like they stopped accepting and featuring photos from readers because the last four issues there was none. Ow well. Thanks for the feedback, Lu.
My pleasure Rommel.
I mean, I have to ask Rommel….did you have one of those lollipops too? 😀 Haha
That monkey photograph in the water is so adorable ! Great photos as always ! 🙂
I shall leave it a mystery. Ahihihi 😉 😀
Beautiful photos, Rommel:) The “festival” was very interesting!! Thanks for sharing!
Some festival with the penis pops and all –
Oh and the monkeys grooming each other is a cool capture – but you really highlighted the unique Japan – and some of the people shots (I e with the smiles) really added to the post!
Peace
Lots of people get turned off by lots of crowd, but not me. I love being with the crowd and watch people…. not in a creepy way. ha! 🙂
same here -!!
and for some reason my reply to you on one of my posts keeps disappearing- not sure why – I am going to try again – 😉
Just can’t get away from those squirrels. 😀 I’ve never been to Japan, so thanks for the virtual tour. I think the Shibuya Crossing is something I’d rather avoid. 😕
Ow really!? So this is like the first time that I’ve somewhere you’ve never been! Geez, what is up with the world!? 😀
Cuteness overload indeed, who doesn’t like squirrels? I sure want to see that lake, I may not be colour blind 😂 maybe I will even see more than 5 colours. And those monkeys going about their monkey business, oh well, uhm aaah uhmm eemm😂😂😂😂😂😂. Lovely photos these are 💞. My eyes are closing, 5:48am😴, I should get some shut-eye.
Starting to sleep at 0548… oh my. I don’t recall the last time I did that.
It has become a bad habit I hope to break soon. Went to bed 5am this morning, 6am yesterday because the network was bad. I always had trouble sleeping at night, and ever since I discovered internet in 2002, working all night became more and more appealing for various reasons over the years.😴😨
May I add, nice lulaby post for my overly late bedtime.😂😂
I have always wanted to visit Japan and, since reading your blog and seeing your photos, even more so now.
Glad to at least show you Japan through blogging. 😉
Great post. I’m always fascinated by the things you choose to highlight.
Between you and me, I sometimes surprise myself too. Ahihihi 😀 😉
Rommel, this is really amazing. There is so much here that was completely new to me, such as the Kawasaki Fertility Festival (I’m blushing), to all those beckoning cats. The scenery away from the crowds of people is gorgeous.
Thanks for sharing!
There are so many things Japanese that I am devoted to. I’ve never been, maybe someday…that was an interesting festival indeed. 🙂
Great post, fun and interesting. The photo with the squirrel at a heart window is sooo cute! With your photos, it never occurred to me that you are colorblid. Have a great week-end!
Marianne
How fun to see your post on Unique Japan! And thank you for liking my post on Happy Buddha Breathing!
Cheers
Jessica
Very funny and engaging read. Keep it up! 🙂
I have just returned from a trip in Japan and I also loved it! It was so great that I’ve just started my blog where I’ve written about Nara and the deer… I would love you to check it out!
What the fuck……why is the penis pink?
Awesome post!! Great stories, great photos and fun!! Thanks – glad I found you 🙂
Wow! I love these pictures. Makes me want to go back to Japan so badly! One day, I hope.