Okunoshima
The Island Governed by Rabbits
Survival Guide
The Bunny Welcome
As soon as you step off the ferry from Tadanoumi, you will be swarmed—not by people, but by hundreds of wild, fluffy rabbits. They have no natural predators here and have associated humans with the 'rustle' of pellet bags for generations.
Poison Gas Museum
Contrast the cuteness with a dark history. This island was a secret chemical weapons plant during WWII. Visit the small museum to understand the island's past before it became a sanctuary, providing a sobering layer to your visit.
Ruined Power Plant
Hike to the overgrown ruins of the former power station. The concrete shell, reclaimed by nature and inhabited by rabbits, looks like a set from a post-apocalyptic film. It is eerie, beautiful, and highly photogenic.
Rabbit Ear Lookout
Head to the island's summit where you'll find giant 'rabbit ear' sound collectors. You can put your head inside to hear the amplified sounds of the Seto Inland Sea, mimicking how the island's residents experience the world.
Traveler Note
Bring your own greens! While the ferry terminal sells pellets, the rabbits love fresh cabbage and carrots. Buy them at a supermarket on the mainland to be the most popular person on the island.
The G-Cans
The Underground Cathedral of Stormwater
Survival Guide
The Pressure-Adjusting Tank
Descend several stories underground in Saitama to enter a massive concrete chamber supported by 59 pillars, each weighing 500 tons. It looks like an underground Greek temple but is actually a high-tech flood surge tank.
Turbine Gallery
See the massive 14,000-horsepower pumps that can drain an Olympic-sized swimming pool in just seconds. This engineering marvel protects Tokyo from the typhoons and heavy rains that used to devastate the region.
Control Room Tour
Visit the retro-futuristic control room, which has been used as a filming location for countless Sci-Fi movies and Sentai (Power Rangers-style) shows. The 80s-style monitors and buttons are a geek-culture dream.
Shaft Observation
Peer into one of the five silos deep enough to fit the Statue of Liberty. Standing at the edge of the abyss helps you realize the sheer scale of the infrastructure hidden beneath the quiet suburbs of Saitama.
Traveler Note
Safety First. Tours are conducted in Japanese, and you must be able to climb several flights of stairs. If you don't speak Japanese, you are often required to bring an interpreter for safety instructions.
Nagoro Village
The Valley of the Dolls
Survival Guide
The Bus Stop Greeting
Enter the village and see 'residents' waiting for a bus that rarely comes. Upon closer inspection, you'll realize they are life-sized scarecrows (kakashi) made by a local artist to replace the neighbors who have passed away or moved.
The Silent Classroom
Visit the local schoolhouse, which closed years ago. The desks are still filled with 'students' and 'teachers' made of straw and cloth, frozen in an eternal lesson. It is a poignant, slightly surreal tribute to Japan's shrinking rural towns.
The Scarecrow Workshop
If you're lucky, meet Tsukimi Ayano, the artist behind the 350+ dolls. She continues to craft new residents, often modeling them after people she remembers, keeping the village 'populated' despite its actual low human count.
Iya Valley Bridge
After the dolls, cross the nearby 'Vine Bridges' (Kazurabashi). Made of mountain vines, these swaying bridges were historically used as 'escape routes' that could be cut down quickly if the village was attacked.
Traveler Note
This is deep in the mountains of Shikoku. There are no convenience stores or gas stations for miles. Ensure your car is fueled up and you have snacks before entering the valley.
Tottori Sand Dunes
A Piece of the Sahara in Japan
Survival Guide
The 'Umanose' Climb
Climb the 50-meter high sand hill known as 'The Horse's Back.' From the top, the desert landscape drops off directly into the crashing waves of the Sea of Japan—a geological sight that feels like a glitch in the map.
Camel Rides
Yes, you can actually ride a camel in Japan. Clamber onto a dromedary for a short trek across the dunes. It’s a kitschy but unforgettable 'only in Japan' experience that confuses everyone back home on your social feed.
The Sand Museum
Visit the world’s first indoor museum dedicated to sand art. Every year, international artists create massive, temporary masterpieces based on a specific theme (like 'Egypt' or 'South America') using only sand and water.
Sand-Boarding
If you have the energy, rent a board and slide down the steep dunes. It’s like snowboarding but much warmer and with a much softer landing. Just be prepared to find sand in your shoes for the rest of your trip.
Traveler Note
Visit during the 'Golden Hour' (sunset). The wind creates perfect 'ripple' patterns (fumon) in the sand that haven't been stepped on yet, and the light over the sea is spectacular.
Tashirojima
The Island Where Cats Outnumber Humans
Survival Guide
Nitoda Port Welcome
Disembark at Nitoda, the island's main village. You’ll be immediately greeted by the ' feline reception committee.' In the past, cats were kept to protect silkworms from mice; today, they are the island's primary residents, outnumbering humans 6-to-1.
The Cat Shrine
Hike to the center of the island to visit 'Neko-jinja.' Legend says a fisherman once accidentally injured a cat while working with nets; he buried it and built this shrine to appease its spirit. Now, visitors leave small cat figurines as offerings for good luck.
Manga Island Architecture
Stay in a house shaped like a cat! The camping area on the hill features 'Cat Cabins' designed by famous manga artists like Shotaro Ishinomori. It’s a whimsical architectural tribute that overlooks the blue Pacific waters.
The 'No Dog' Zone
Observe the absolute peace. Dogs are strictly prohibited on the island to protect the cats' lifestyle. This creates a unique atmosphere where the cats are exceptionally bold and relaxed around humans.
Traveler Note
Bring your own lunch! There are almost no shops or restaurants on the island. If you bring food, be extremely careful—the cats are professional thieves and will try to share your sandwich.
Unko Museum
The Kawaii Culture of... Poop?
Survival Guide
The My-Unko Maker
Start your journey by sitting on a colorful, non-functional toilet. You are encouraged to 'yell' while you sit; a colorful, plastic poop souvenir will then 'appear' in the bowl for you to take home as a lucky charm.
Unstagenic Zone
Enter a neon-lit playground designed for the ultimate 'Instagrammable' photo. This isn't about the gross factor—Japan's 'Unko' culture is focused on 'Kawaii' (cuteness). Pose with giant flying poop sculptures and pastel-colored displays.
The Crappy Arcade
Play retro-style video games where the goal is to 'catch' or 'stomp' falling poops. It’s a high-energy, absurd experience that challenges the social taboos of most other cultures through pure silliness.
The Poop Volcano
Gather around the central 'Unko Volcano' which erupts periodically, showering the area with small foam poops. It is a chaotic, joyful moment that summarizes the museum's philosophy: 'Maximum Play.'
Traveler Note
This is located in the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza in Odaiba. Go on a weekday to avoid the massive crowds of teenagers and families who flock here for the neon photo-ops.
Cup Noodle Museum
A Tribute to Instant Genius
Survival Guide
Instant Ramen Tunnel
Walk through a tunnel lined with over 3,000 different packages of instant noodles, showing the evolution of the product since Momofuku Ando invented 'Chicken Ramen' in a small wooden shed in 1958.
My Cup Noodle Factory
Design your own cup! You get to draw on the packaging and then choose from 4 soup bases and 12 toppings (including the famous 'Hiyoko-chan' fish cakes). Your custom creation is then vacuum-sealed in a 'puff' bag for you to take home.
The Creative Thinking Cube
Explore interactive exhibits that teach Ando’s six tenets of 'Creative Thinking.' It’s surprisingly inspiring, showing how a simple idea can solve global hunger through persistence and unconventional thought.
Noodles Bazaar
Visit the 'World Noodles Road' food court. It’s styled like an Asian night market and serves small portions of eight different noodle varieties that Ando encountered during his travels to find the origins of noodles.
Traveler Note
The 'My Cup Noodle' workshop requires a timed reservation. They sell out almost every day by noon, so book your slot online in advance or arrive exactly when the doors open.
Sagamihara Vending Park
The Retro Machine Graveyard
Survival Guide
The Showa-Era Aisle
Walk through rows of over 100 restored vintage vending machines from the 1970s and 80s. While most of Japan has modern machines, these are mechanical relics that serve everything from hot toast to bottled ramen broth.
The 30-Second Udon
Try the legendary 'Toast Sand' or the 'Udon' machine. After you insert your coins, a mechanical timer ticks down while the machine internally heats your meal. It’s served in a plastic bowl, piping hot, just like it was 40 years ago.
Mystery Box Corner
Gamble on the 'Mystery Box' machines. For a few hundred yen, you get a box wrapped in newspaper or plain cardboard. It could contain anything from a high-quality toy to a weirdly specific kitchen tool.
The Retro Arcade
Step inside the attached building to play 1980s arcade games that still run on 100-yen coins. The smell of old electronics and the sounds of 8-bit music complete the feeling of having traveled back in time to the Showa period.
Traveler Note
Bring a heavy bag of 100-yen coins. Many of these machines are so old they do not accept modern 500-yen coins or 1,000-yen bills, and the on-site change machine is often 'out of order.'