Weird & Unusual Attractions in Himeji, Hyōgo, Japan

1. Himeji's Magnetic Floating Garden

Experience a surreal wonderland where plants seem to float above the ground due to magnetic levitation.

Magnetism: Uses powerful magnets to create an illusion of weightlessness
Biodiversity: Hosts a variety of rare and exotic plants from around the world
Interactivity: Offers educational workshops about magnetism and plant life

Explore Japan's largest castle rumored to be haunted by the spirits of its past lords.

Historical Spirits: The ghostly presence of samurai and ladies-in-waiting are said to inhabit the castle
Architectural Wonders: A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing traditional Japanese architecture
Guided Tours: Provides ghostly stories and historical facts during guided tours

Visit the famous site where a UFO is said to have landed in 1965, complete with a statue of a visiting alien.

UFO Sighting: Famous location of Japan's most well-documented UFO sighting
Alien Statue: Features a large, friendly alien statue that greets visitors
Local Legends: Surrounded by local legends and theories about UFOs and aliens

Visit a shrine where the main deity is a fox-god and the torii gates are shaped like giant phalluses.

Fox Deity: Dedicated to the Shinto fox-deity, Inari Okami
Giant Phalluses: The unique torii gate design is believed to bring fertility and prosperity
Unusual Rituals: Offers ceremonies for good luck, love, and prosperity involving sake and rice cakes

Step into a museum dedicated to the display of human skeletons and their medical conditions.

Medical Conditions: Displays skeletons affected by various diseases and abnormalities
Education: Provides educational resources about human anatomy and medical history
Interactive Exhibits: Features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore human skeletons up close

Find the mysterious glowing cat statues scattered throughout the city.

Glowing Lights: The statues emit a soft, otherworldly glow at night
Local Legends: Surrounded by local legends and folklore about mythical cats
Scavenger Hunt: Participate in a city-wide scavenger hunt to find all the glowing cat statues

Explore a cave believed to be inhabited by vampire bats and other mysterious creatures.

Vampire Bats: Rumored to house vampire bats, although no sightings have been confirmed
Mystical Creatures: Surrounded by local legends about other mythical creatures residing within
Guided Tours: Offers guided tours to the cave, but no guarantees of encountering vampire bats

Visit a square where mediums and psychics gather to perform readings for visitors.

Psychic Readings: Mediums and psychics offer personalized readings for visitors
Gift Shops: Features gift shops selling spiritual items, tarot cards, and crystals
Astral Projections: Some mediums offer services for astral projection and out-of-body experiences

Experience a disorienting mirror maze that distorts your perception of reality.

Mirrors: Constructed entirely out of mirrors
Interactivity: Offers challenges and games to complete within the maze
Disorientation: Designed to confuse and disorient visitors, providing a fun challenge

Step into a forest inhabited by mythical Japanese creatures called yokai.

Yokai Creatures: Populated by various types of yokai, each with its own unique characteristics
Local Legends: Surrounded by local legends and folklore about the forest's mythical inhabitants
Nature Walk: Offers a peaceful nature walk through the forest, with guided tours available

Board a train that claims to be able to travel back and forth in time.

Time Travel: Claims to allow passengers to travel back and forth in time
Mystical Journey: Offers a mystical, otherworldly journey through time and space
Guided Tours: Provides guided tours with various themes, such as history, mythology, and sci-fi

Watch a play or movie in a theater rumored to be haunted by ghostly spirits.

Haunted Atmosphere: Enhanced with creepy decorations and atmospheric effects
Ghostly Encounters: Rumored to be haunted by ghosts, adding to the eerie experience
Entertainment: Shows a variety of plays and movies, with a focus on horror genres

Visit an abandoned train station believed to be haunted by ghostly apparitions.

Ghostly Encounters: Rumored to be haunted by the spirits of those who died in train accidents
Photography Opportunities: Offers unique photography opportunities for paranormal enthusiasts
Local Legends: Surrounded by local legends and folklore about the ghostly station

Explore a house where everything is turned upside down, challenging your perceptions.

Upside-Down Design: Everything in the house is designed to be upside down
Interactive Exhibits: Features interactive exhibits for visitors to experience
Disorientation: Designed to challenge your perceptions and make you feel disoriented

Enter a cave filled with glittering crystals that sparkle like stars.