Doll's Village To Anime Hubs: 6 Offbeat Ways To Experience Japan

The land of the rising sun has something for everyone. You've heard about the lovely old shrines and castles set within gorgeous gardens, modern architectural marvels, speciality cuisine, and shopping. However, we have compiled a list of cool and unusual things to experience in Japan for your next visit.

The Hadaka Matsuri Festival

Every year on the third Saturday of February, thousands of men gather in Okayama prefecture on Japan's Honshu island for Hadaka Matsuri, a festival held at the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple. The men wear the fundoshi, a loincloth, and tabi, a pair of white socks. They scuffle in a crowded enclosure to acquire one of two 20cm-long "shingi" wooden sticks thrown into the throng by a priest. The priest throws the two twigs together with hundreds of similar sticks. The shingi sticks are said to bring good fortune to the person who catches them.

Aogashima, A Town Inside A Volcano

A volcanic eruption in Japan destroyed the town of Aogashima about 230 years ago. The Japanese Meteorological Agency, which monitors the country's active volcanoes, still lists the volcano as active. That hasn't stopped people from inhabiting Aogashima. Many of the houses are built within the crater's outside rim. It's a 200-mile ferry ride from here across the Philippine Sea to Tokyo. The island's distinctive form features a volcanic caldera within a larger crater. Visit a distillery that makes shochu, Japan's signature spirit. You can stay in a B&B. There are various general stores in town where you may get necessities.

Kyoto International Manga Museum

The Kyoto International Manga Museum is a must-see for manga fans. This museum houses an impressive collection of about 300,000 manga, with walls on three storeys and a basement totally lined with shelves. There are sections for foreign and translated comics and profiles of international manga artists. In addition, temporary exhibitions of artists' work are frequently presented. In rare instances, you may encounter a Kamishibai performer who depicts scenes from a paper scroll. You are welcome to stop by their cafe for a bite. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the last admittance at 5:30 p.m.

A Train Journey Through The Japanese Alps

This train ride takes you through the breathtaking Kurobe Gorge in the Northern Alps. This line is recognised for its open-air trains, which allow you to immerse yourself in your environment. Take in the fresh mountain air as the train winds through the ravine, surrounded by high cliffs, dense forests, and the lovely Kurobe River. Natural onsens (hot springs) are one of the beautiful wonders along the road for people looking to relax in a hot bath surrounded by mountains.

Camp Out Studio Ghibli Style

Studio Ghibli, founded in 1985, is an iconic name in the Japanese anime industry, best known for heartwarming films that represent the intricacies of Japanese folklore and traditions. The Hygge Circles Ugakei, inspired by Studio Ghibli-style lodges, is all set to deliver a taste of hygge to the woodlands of Uga Valley in Japan, surrounded by deep forests, waterfalls, and mountain streams. The accommodation, which appears like it came straight out of the anime epic fantasy Princess Mononoke, provides tents as well as cabins. The sustainable glamping resort, which aims to redefine luxury tourism, is regarded as a great respite from frantic city life. The concept is built on one-of-a-kind natural experiences, United Nations global goals, and social engagement. Hygge Circles Ugakei, which is currently in its planning and development stage, is designed by the Japanese division of Danish outdoor equipment company Nordisk.

More info here.

Explore A Village Of Dolls

Nagoro, a remote village in Tokushima Prefecture on Shikoku Island—one of Japan's four main islands—has life-sized dolls as inhabitants.

Although there have been mentions of other Japanese villages where artists have similarly created scarecrows or dolls to make them livelier, it is Nagoro that has caught the travellers’ fancy. Visitors will find doll-people lounging in front of a former grocery store, waiting at bus stops, a couple sitting on a bench by a stream, and others engaged in various outdoor activities, a child on a swing and plenty more.

Read more about the village here.