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  • Japanese Fertility Shrine, Dontsuku Shrine, Izu - In spite of all its rules and propriety, Japan has a quirky side. If you’re into that kind of stuff, head to the Dontsuku Festival, a celebration of fertility.<br />
The Dontsuku Shrine in Higashi Izu, Shizuoka, hosts a fertility festival in the hot spring town of Inatori. The festival dates back more than 2,000 years.
    penis-shrine.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-1.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-3.jpg
  • Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the place to go for your bizarre costume needs. Have you just been dying to dress up like your favorite cartoon character and can't wait for Halloween?  Harajuku is a fantasy world and what would be jaw-droppingly bizarre anywhere else in the world, is par for the course here.   Japan is often described as a country of paradoxes, hung between the traditional and the modern.  Harajuku displays these contrasts like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But a carnival-like scene has been going on for years in Harajuku with costumes that are outlandish, fun, colorful, quirky and sometimes kinky.
    takeshita-street-1.jpg
  • Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    tokyu-plaza-harajuku-4.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    iceberg-building-3.jpg
  • Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the place to go for your bizarre costume needs. Have you just been dying to dress up like your favorite cartoon character and can't wait for Halloween?  Harajuku is a fantasy world and what would be jaw-droppingly bizarre anywhere else in the world, is par for the course here.   Japan is often described as a country of paradoxes, hung between the traditional and the modern.  Harajuku displays these contrasts like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But a carnival-like scene has been going on for years in Harajuku with costumes that are outlandish, fun, colorful, quirky and sometimes kinky.
    takeshita-street-4.jpg
  • Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the place to go for your bizarre costume needs. Have you just been dying to dress up like your favorite cartoon character and can't wait for Halloween?  Harajuku is a fantasy world and what would be jaw-droppingly bizarre anywhere else in the world, is par for the course here.   Japan is often described as a country of paradoxes, hung between the traditional and the modern.  Harajuku displays these contrasts like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But a carnival-like scene has been going on for years in Harajuku with costumes that are outlandish, fun, colorful, quirky and sometimes kinky.
    takeshita-street-6.jpg
  • Takeshita Street in Harajuku is the place to go for your bizarre costume needs. Have you just been dying to dress up like your favorite cartoon character and can't wait for Halloween?  Harajuku is a fantasy world and what would be jaw-droppingly bizarre anywhere else in the world, is par for the course here.   Japan is often described as a country of paradoxes, hung between the traditional and the modern.  Harajuku displays these contrasts like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But a carnival-like scene has been going on for years in Harajuku with costumes that are outlandish, fun, colorful, quirky and sometimes kinky.
    takeshita-street-3.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    takeshita-street-7.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    iceberg-building-5.jpg
  • Audi Showroom Harajuku is now known as the Iceberg Building - Harajuku displays these unusual fashion, shopping, and architecture trends like no other place in Japan. Tokyo is a city that's usually dressed to the nines - a place that prides itself on being well turned out.  But an architectural revolution has been going on for years in Harajuku with buildings that are outlandish, fun, colorful and quirky. Most fashion houses try to out-do each other with buildings that defy description.
    iceberg-building-2.jpg
  • One of the quirkiest, yet most interesting attractions in Vientiane would have to be Xieng Khuan, commonly called "Buddha Park". Xieng Khuan or "Spirit City" is just as much a monument to one man's eccentric and bizarre ambition as it is an impressive collection of massive ferro-concrete sculptures dotted around a riverside meadow. Although the brontosaurian reclining Buddha and strange edifice resembling a pumpkin - there are statues of every conceivable deity in the Buddhist/Hindu pantheon. Even if you are not up on your Buddhist/Hindu deities you will enjoy strolling around some of the more fantastic shapes.  Xieng Khuan was designed and built in 1958 by Louang Pou Bunleua Sulilat a self style holy man who took Hinduism and Buddhism and merged them into his own iconography. After the revolution in 1975, he fled from Laos to Thailand where he built another sculpture park, Sala Keoku in Nong Khai.. He fled because his anti-Communist beliefs conflicted with the views of the Pathet Lao.
    xieng-khuan-1.jpg
  • Lantau Island, also Lantao, is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River.  Originally the site of sleepy fishing villages, in recent years has been increasingly developed.
    lantau-5.jpg
  • One of the quirkiest, yet most interesting attractions in Vientiane would have to be Xieng Khuan, commonly called "Buddha Park". Xieng Khuan or "Spirit City" is just as much a monument to one man's eccentric and bizarre ambition as it is an impressive collection of massive ferro-concrete sculptures dotted around a riverside meadow. Although the brontosaurian reclining Buddha and strange edifice resembling a pumpkin - there are statues of every conceivable deity in the Buddhist/Hindu pantheon. Even if you are not up on your Buddhist/Hindu deities you will enjoy strolling around some of the more fantastic shapes.  Xieng Khuan was designed and built in 1958 by Louang Pou Bunleua Sulilat a self style holy man who took Hinduism and Buddhism and merged them into his own iconography. After the revolution in 1975, he fled from Laos to Thailand where he built another sculpture park, Sala Keoku in Nong Khai.. He fled because his anti-Communist beliefs conflicted with the views of the Pathet Lao.
    xieng-khuan-4.jpg
  • Literally hundreds of penises or rather phallus statue or statuettes from small wooden carvings to big stone sculptures that stand ten feet tall and decorated with ribbons - make this shrine quite unique. It honors Chao Mae Tubtim, a female fertility spirit. Women visit this shrine when they are trying to conceive, leaving offerings of lotus and jasmine.
    tuptim-shrine-5.jpg
  • Hello Kitty Show at Sanrio Puroland - an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-1.jpg
  • Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco. The name reflects the fact that the race starts a few blocks from San Francisco Bay and runs west through the city to finish at the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. The race is 12 kilometers long and takes place on the third Sunday in May and more of a costume party than a real marathon.
    bay-to-breakers-2.jpg
  • The Exploratorium created the hands on movement among museums.  There are about a thousand museums in the world that trace themselves to the Exploratorium in terms of exhibits or programs. This innovative museum of science, art, human perception and technology provides for even those with the most limited scientific knowledge and gives them back the joy of discovery. It is an experience that inspires young and old to understand science and nature.<br />
The Exploratorium in San Francisco is a public educational institution for peoples of all ages. Its audience numbers over 20 million each year, as its exhibits travel to science centers and other locations worldwide. At least 90 percent of the nation’s other science museums have borrowed ideas from Exploratorium exhibits or programs.
    exploratorium-1.jpg
  • Bay to Breakers is an annual footrace which takes place in San Francisco. The name reflects the fact that the race starts a few blocks from San Francisco Bay and runs west through the city to finish at the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. The race is 12 kilometers long and takes place on the third Sunday in May and more of a costume party than a real marathon.
    bay-to-breakers-1.jpg
  • One of the quirkiest, yet most interesting attractions in Vientiane would have to be Xieng Khuan, commonly called "Buddha Park". Xieng Khuan or "Spirit City" is just as much a monument to one man's eccentric and bizarre ambition as it is an impressive collection of massive ferro-concrete sculptures dotted around a riverside meadow. Although the brontosaurian reclining Buddha and strange edifice resembling a pumpkin - there are statues of every conceivable deity in the Buddhist/Hindu pantheon. Even if you are not up on your Buddhist/Hindu deities you will enjoy strolling around some of the more fantastic shapes.  Xieng Khuan was designed and built in 1958 by Louang Pou Bunleua Sulilat a self style holy man who took Hinduism and Buddhism and merged them into his own iconography. After the revolution in 1975, he fled from Laos to Thailand where he built another sculpture park, Sala Keoku in Nong Khai.. He fled because his anti-Communist beliefs conflicted with the views of the Pathet Lao.
    xieng-khuan-2.jpg
  • Hello Kitty Show at Sanrio Puroland - an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-2.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-12.jpg
  • Halloween in the San Francisco Castro District
    castro-street.jpg
  • One of the quirkiest, yet most interesting attractions in Vientiane would have to be Xieng Khuan, commonly called "Buddha Park". Xieng Khuan or "Spirit City" is just as much a monument to one man's eccentric and bizarre ambition as it is an impressive collection of massive ferro-concrete sculptures dotted around a riverside meadow. Although the brontosaurian reclining Buddha and strange edifice resembling a pumpkin - there are statues of every conceivable deity in the Buddhist/Hindu pantheon. Even if you are not up on your Buddhist/Hindu deities you will enjoy strolling around some of the more fantastic shapes.  Xieng Khuan was designed and built in 1958 by Louang Pou Bunleua Sulilat a self style holy man who took Hinduism and Buddhism and merged them into his own iconography. After the revolution in 1975, he fled from Laos to Thailand where he built another sculpture park, Sala Keoku in Nong Khai.. He fled because his anti-Communist beliefs conflicted with the views of the Pathet Lao.
    xieng-khuan-3.jpg
  • One of the quirkiest, yet most interesting attractions in Vientiane would have to be Xieng Khuan, commonly called "Buddha Park". Xieng Khuan or "Spirit City" is just as much a monument to one man's eccentric and bizarre ambition as it is an impressive collection of massive ferro-concrete sculptures dotted around a riverside meadow. Although the brontosaurian reclining Buddha and strange edifice resembling a pumpkin - there are statues of every conceivable deity in the Buddhist/Hindu pantheon. Even if you are not up on your Buddhist/Hindu deities you will enjoy strolling around some of the more fantastic shapes.  Xieng Khuan was designed and built in 1958 by Louang Pou Bunleua Sulilat a self style holy man who took Hinduism and Buddhism and merged them into his own iconography. After the revolution in 1975, he fled from Laos to Thailand where he built another sculpture park, Sala Keoku in Nong Khai.. He fled because his anti-Communist beliefs conflicted with the views of the Pathet Lao.
    xieng-khuan-5.jpg
  • Lantau Island, also Lantao, is the largest island in Hong Kong, located at the mouth of the Pearl River.  Originally the site of sleepy fishing villages, in recent years has been increasingly developed.
    lantau-4.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-11.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-9.jpg
  • Lions at Mengake Kamakura Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-26.jpg
  • Jiji Elderly Man at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-22.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-07.jpg
  • Drummers at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-06.jpg
  • Dotombori Crab Restaurant - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-28.jpg
  • Glico Man - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-22.jpg
  • Haw Par Villa is a one-of-a-kind theme park in Singapore with over a thousand statues and a hundred dioramas depicting scenes from Chinese mythology,  Confucian stories, folklore and legends.  Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, the park was built by the Burmese-Chinese brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par  who were the developers of Tiger Balm ointment. They created the park in 1937 for teaching the public traditional Chinese values. The most renowned attraction at Haw Par Villa is the Ten Courts of Hell featuring gruesome depictions of hell in  Buddhism and Chinese mythology.
    haw-par-villa-5.jpg
  • Phuket Fantasea is cultural and entertainment theme park at Kamala Beach Phuket.  The park features various attractions with a focus on Thai culture and myths. Classical dances from Thailand’s regions play a prominent part in the theme park's signature show.  Some have described Phuket Fantasea as a Las-Vegas-style spectacle blending Thai culture with 4-D effects, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, special effects, elephant performances all in one unique theatrical show.  Fantasea adds a whole new spin on theme park entertainment, with attractions not found elsewhere in the world
    phuket-fantasea-3.jpg
  • A Balinese togog is a decorative sculpted head, often decorated with flowers.  The faces and expressions taking form from Balinese folk tales and legends.
    balinese-togog-3.jpg
  • Teruhisa Kitahara's collection of 3,000 tin toys produced from the 1890's to the 1960's is displayed here. Christmas goods can be purchased at any time of the year at 'Christmas Toys'.
    kitahara-toy-museum-5.jpg
  • Americamura Mural - Amerikamura or American Village is usually referred to by locals in Osaka as "Ame-mura." It is a retail and entertainment area near Shinsaibashi in Minami district of Osaka, and caters to young Japanese consumers with countless clothing shops carrying the latest trendy goods.  Though Japanese high schools are notoriously strict in their dress codes, overlooked are accessories such as flashy charms to dangle from cellphones, exotic socks or mufflers and hats that can be put on before or after school.
    america-mura-1.jpg
  • Faces at Dotonbori Hotel in Osaka with an amazing entrance featuring four huge columns with faces depicting the special qualities in human beings. The face columns act as a landmark and define the hotel's traditional architecture.
    Dotombori-Hotel-1.jpg
  • The Snake Temple in Penang was build in the memory of Chor Soo Kong by a Buddhist monk who had immigrated to Penang. Chor Soo Kong had healing powers and had given shelter to snakes when he lived in the jungle. As the story goes, snakes entered the temple after completing and have never left to pay respect to Chor Soo Kong. The Snake Temple original name was the "Temple of the Azure Cloud" in honor of the beauty of Penang's sky. The temple is dedicated to a deity called Cheng Swee Chor Soo.
    snake-temple-01.jpg
  • The post-industrial era of Japan has brought new cultural products and thus new associations to Japan, including karaoke, Tamagotchi, Pokemon, Aibo, and Hello Kitty and countless other forms of kitsch.
    japanese-kitsch-2.jpg
  • Puerto Galera is well known by diving enthusiasts for its coral reefs and professionally run diving operations.; Asia Divers is one of the originals that not only set up dives but offer PADI instruction; and certification.
    diving-equipment.jpg
  • Colourful  balloons, including one that says "I love you" for sale in Red Square, Moscow.  What was formerly a grim symbol of Soviet dominance, has developed a lighthearted air in recent years.
    moscow-red-square-1.jpg
  • Reptile wine, root wines and plum wines are all good for what ails you. According to the Vietnamese they "make you strong".   Each street in Hanoi's old quarter has merchants and artisans specialized in a particular trade such as silk, jewellery, coffee and herbalists. The street names reflect these specializations, although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce.
    vietnamese-herbalist.jpg
  • Costume Play Bloody Nurse - Every Sunday cosplay characters come to Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter, to show off their latest creations.  Most casual observers say that cosplay is a reaction to rigid rules in Japanese society. But since so many cosplayers meet up in Harajuku and Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake still others consider this phenomenon a reaction to high fashion. Whatever the cause cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes every Sunday. One only wonders what they wear on Monday morning.
    costume-play-10.jpg
  • Niijima Moai - Though they are called "moai" these artifacts are more like outdoor sculptures, dotted along the coastline of Niijima. Oddly enough, Niijima Island is a part of Tokyo although it in no way resembles the crowded city - or any city for that matter.  In fact, it is more of a tropical paradise and hangout for surfer dudes, with huge wages and surf.  To make life more interesting, or some other reason, Niijima also has a smattering of moai or public art sculptures along the coast.  Though they are called "moai" these artifacts are more sculptures, dotted along the coastlines of Niijima.  Most of them are made of ryolite, a precious volcanic rock that is mined only on Niijima.  These sculptures are actually called moyai by the locals which means ‘work together’ in their dialect.
    Niijima-Moai-3.jpg
  • Calaveras Candles - Day of the Dead "Dia de los Muertos". The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is celebrated in Mexico and Mexican communities where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day  and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.
    calaveras-candles.jpg
  • Rakan statues represent the 500 disciples of Buddha. Although many Buddhist sculptures are carved to represent exquisite beauty or terrifying ferociousness, rakan almost always seem to be carved in the spirit of humour and good fun
    rakan-zentsuji-4.jpg
  • Glico Man - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-23.jpg
  • Dotombori Blowfish Restaurant - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-11.jpg
  • A Balinese togog, this one with an extremely long tongue,  is a decorative sculpted head, often decorated with flowers.  The facial expressions taking form from Balinese folk tales and legends.
    balinese-togog-1.jpg
  • Amerikamura or American Village is usually referred to by locals in Osaka as "Ame-mura." It is a retail and entertainment area near Shinsaibashi in Minami district of Osaka, and caters to young Japanese consumers with countless clothing shops carrying the latest trendy goods.  Though Japanese high schools are notoriously strict in their dress codes, overlooked are accessories such as flashy charms to dangle from cellphones, exotic socks or mufflers and hats that can be put on before or after school.
    america-mura-3.jpg
  • Buckingham Palace Replica at Tobu World Square - a theme park near Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen. The theme park boasts 42 exquisitely crafted scale models of famous UNESCO  Heritage Sites, complete  with 140,000 miniature people.  Along with the World Heritage Sites, more mundane buildings are Tokyo Station, Narita Airport and Tokyo Dome, along with show pavilions for various hokey performances.
    tobu-world-square-5.jpg
  • Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously called demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Depictions of oni vary widely but usually portray them as hideous, gigantic, creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally, they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. Their skin may be any number of colors, but red and blue are particularly common.
    oni-5.jpg
  • The popular symbolism associated with Daruma as a good luck charm comes from the founder of Daruma-Dera that New Year’s charms depicting Bodhidharma would bring happiness and prosperity and ward off accidents and misfortune. The charms were always given with an effectiveness of one year, so the people required new ones every year.
    daruma-statue.jpg
  • Kanamara Matsuri or Festival of the Phallus is an annual Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki in spring. The penis forms the central theme of the event that is reflected everywhere: candy, carved vegetables, decorations, sake bottles and a parade. The Kanamara Matsuri is centered around a local penis venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection against sexual problems and diseases.
    kanamara-shrine-2.jpg
  • Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located in Tama Center, Tokyo that attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year and hosts various musicals, restaurants, attractions, and theme rides using popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Pochacco, Keroppi, and many more. While many of the shows are only in Japanese, Puroland nevertheless attracts many visitors from overseas as well as Japan because of the worldwide popularity of these characters.   Puroland has become one of Japan's most popular attractions.
    sanrio-puroland-10.jpg
  • Midwife at Mengake Kamakura - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-16.jpg
  • Shinto Priests at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-04.jpg
  • Dotombori Signs - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-21.jpg
  • Dotombori Dragon - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-16.jpg
  • Pirate on board the Pirate Ship on Lake Ashi, a scenic lake in Hakone. The lake is known for its views of Mt. Fuji.  Several ferries cruise the lake, providing scenic views for passengers. One of the boats is a full-scale replica of a man-of-war pirate ship.
    pirate-ship-2.jpg
  • Showing public art in the natural surroundings of Naoshima island has become famous around Japan.  Today you can find many examples of works unique to Naoshima scattered around the island.
    naoshima-public-art-1.jpg
  • Oni are creatures from Japanese folklore, variously called demons, devils, ogres or trolls. They are popular characters in Japanese art, literature and theatre. Depictions of oni vary widely but usually portray them as hideous, gigantic creatures with sharp claws, wild hair, and two long horns growing from their heads. They are humanoid for the most part, but occasionally, they are shown with unnatural features such as odd numbers of eyes or extra fingers and toes. Their skin may be any number of colors, but red and blue are particularly common.
    oni-3.jpg
  • The White House Love Hotel Hayama. One wonders what the President and the First Lady would think if they were to see this particular Japanese Love Hotel, located in Hayama on the Shonan Coast of Japan, south of Tokyo and Yokohama. Like all Japanese love hotels, this one has a theme, but it is doubtful if the intention is political...
    japanese-love-hotel-2.jpg
  • Kanamara Matsuri or Festival of the Phallus is an annual Shinto fertility festival held in Kawasaki in spring. The penis forms the central theme of the event that is reflected everywhere: candy, carved vegetables, decorations, sake bottles and a parade. The Kanamara Matsuri is centered around a local penis venerating shrine once popular among prostitutes who wished to pray for protection against sexual problems and diseases.
    kanamara-shrine-3.jpg
  • Tanuki is the Japanese word for a raccoon.  These creatures have been represented in Japanese folklore for hundreds of years.  The tanuki have a reputation for being mischievous.  At the same time they are jolly, good at disguising themselves. They are also absent-minded. and gullible according to legend.
    tanuki-1.jpg
  • At various festivals around the Japanese Islands, shishimai dances are performed to consecrate the festival ground and open the festival. A wooden lion mask and wooly-looking costume of woven and dyed banana/choma strips is worn, and the dance is performed to loud music featuring gongs, drums, bells, flutes, sanshin, and various other instruments. Some lion dances feature two or more dancers as the lion.
    shishimai-4.jpg
  • Costume Play Diver with Accessories - A wide variety of "costume play" getups: goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime, the sweet & innocent frilly look of "maids" or combinations in between.  Every Sunday these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion district to strut their stuff. Most casual observers imagine that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls congregate in Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of high fashion designers, some consider this to be a some kind of reaction to orthodox fashion. Whatever the cause cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes, making the phenomenon a hit all around the world.
    costume-play-1.jpg
  • Tokyo Godzilla Statue, Hibiya
    tokyo-godzilla.jpg
  • Harajuku Goths.  A wide variety of "costume play" getups are shown here: goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime,  the sweet-and-innocent frilly look or combinations in between (goth lolly)  Every Sunday, these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter. Most casual observers say that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls congregate in Harajuku and Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake, others consider it is a reaction to high fashion. Whatever the cause, cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes every Sunday. One wonders what they wear on Monday morning...
    costume-play-goths-4.jpg
  • Niijima Moai Though they are called "moai" these artifacts are more like outdoor sculptures, dotted along the coastline of Niijima. Oddly enough, Niijima Island is a part of Tokyo although it in no way resembles the crowded city or any city for that matter.  In fact, it is more of a tropical paradise and hangout for surfer dudes, with huge wages and surf.  To make life more interesting, or some other reason, Niijima also has a smattering of moai or public art sculptures along the coast.  Though they are called "moai" these artifacts are more sculptures, dotted along the coastlines of Niijima.  Most of them are made of ryolite, a precious volcanic rock that is mined only on Niijima.  These sculptures are actually called moyai by the locals which means ‘work together’ in their dialect.
    Niijima-Moai-2.jpg
  • Rakan statues represent the 500 disciples of Buddha. Although many Buddhist sculptures are carved to represent exquisite beauty or terrifying ferociousness, rakan almost always seem to be carved in the spirit of humour and good fun
    rakan-zentsuji-1.jpg
  • Rakan at Eirinji - Rakan and Arhat statues represent the 500 disciples of Buddha. Although many Buddhist sculptures are carved to represent exquisite beauty or terrifying ferociousness, rakan often seem to be carved in the spirit of humour and good fun, or at least they usually appear to have comical faces, even though their message or what they represent may be dead serioues.
    eirinji-rakan-2.jpg
  • Oni Demon at Mengake Procession Kamakura- Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-27.jpg
  • Hananago Long Nose Mask at Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-15.jpg
  • Mengake Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival held in September a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing comical or grotesque masks that signify different demons, legends and dieties  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-kamakura-01.jpg
  • Dotombori Dragon - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-18.jpg
  • Dotombori Crab Restaurant - Dotombori is a district of Osaka famous for its neon and mechanized signs, most famously for the sign of the candy manufacturer Glico.  The Glico Man sign shows a giant electronic display of a runner crossing a finish line.  Along the streets, to advertise their products and menus visitors are amazed at the moving giant crabs, puffed out blowfish, smoking dragons and other dramatic kitsch.  Dotombori is a district has always been known for its historic theaters, night life, shops and restaurants and in modern times its many neon and mechanized signs,
    dotombori-signs-7.jpg
  • Phuket Fantasea is cultural and entertainment theme park at Kamala Beach Phuket.  The park features various attractions with a focus on Thai culture and myths. Classical dances from Thailand’s regions play a prominent part in the theme park's signature show.  Some have described Phuket Fantasea as a Las-Vegas-style spectacle blending Thai culture with 4-D effects, acrobatics, pyrotechnics, special effects, elephant performances all in one unique theatrical show.  Fantasea adds a whole new spin on theme park entertainment, with attractions not found elsewhere in the world
    phuket-fantasea-1.jpg
  • Every Easter Sunday, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, San Francisco's beloved sect of cross-dressing nuns, host The Hunky Jesus Competition in Dolores Park - celebrating people who take the look of "our lord and savior" and transform it into "our lord and sexy."  The sisters believe all people have a right to express their unique joy and beauty and we use humor and irreverent wit to expose bigotry and ignorance.  The Hunky Jesus Competition is the highlight of the Sisters' free Easter party that's been going on in the Mission's premiere public space for over three decades. These events bring all all the drag queens and even a few designers in the city because of features such as a bonnet contest and drag performances..  One of those only-in-San-Francisco events.
    hunky-jesus-contest-12.jpg
  • Ginza is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and is recognized as one of the most luxurious shopping districts in the world. Many upscale fashion flagship stores are located here, including Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Louis Vuitton....  In recent years extraordinary architecture has gone up including the De Beers Building, Mikimoto Building among others.  Ginza is named after the silver-coin mint established there in 1612 during the Edo period..
    mikimoto-ginza-2.jpg
  • Statue of a locally prominent politician Datuk Wira Gan Boon Leong. He was once possessed the title of 'Mr. Universe', 'Mr. Asia' and 'Mr. Malaysia' in body building. This statue is located just in front of his body building academy in Malacca Chinatown.
    gan-boon-leong-1.jpg
  • Taking a trishaw ride through Melaka seems to be the thing to do for every visitor.  There are dozens of them offering this service and the price is fixed these days at 40 Malaysian Ringgit per hour. Unlike other towns where rickshaws still ply the streets, the fixed rate ensures a reasonable fare for passengers and an equitable income for the driver. The trishaws in Melaka are colorful with lots of decorations, each with their own individual design and add flambouyant colors to the streets of Melaka.
    malacca-rickshaw-3.jpg
  • Misaki, at the tip of the Miura Peninsula, is a well-known fishing port that is famous for tuna.  Besides the giant tuna market, small shops and restaurants also offer up tuna, tuna and more tuna.
    japanese-fish-10.jpg
  • Kashiya Yokocho, Penny Candy Alley, is a famous lane in Kawagoe with a stone paved streets embedded with colorful glass that is lined with 22 traditional style Japanese candy shops.  An additional feature of the neighborhood are the kitsch animal characters that decorate some of the buildings and candy shops from penguins to salamanders.
    kawagoe-13.jpg
  • Green Tea Bath at Yunessun Springs, Hakone - Kowakien Yunessun is a hot springs spa resort and water amusement park located in the scenic surroundings of Hakone.  With a unique blend of traditional Japanese onsen hot springs and water recreation and activities such as pools, slides, and man-made waterfalls.  Yunessun also has some wacky baths such as the coffee bath, sake bath, wine bath and even a green tea bath.
    yunessun-tea-bath-1.jpg
  • Agung Rai Museum or ARMA as it is known in Ubud is more than a museum. It is a center for the arts, and provides opportunities to enjoy the permanent collections, special temporary exhibitions, theatre performances, dance, music, and painting classes.  There is also a library and reading room, and the museum offers regular cultural workshops, seminars and training programmes in its spacious grounds.
    arma-museum-05.jpg
  • The bright yellow pumpkin covered with a pattern of black dots stands about two meters high. Created by Kusama Yayoi in 1994 it has  served as a symbol of the entire Naoshima art project and over time it has been joined by other pieces integrated with Naoshima's landscape.
    naoshima-public-art-4.jpg
  • The Christmas House is a one-of-a-kind institution designed by Dr. Rico Absin, an anesthesiologist in the city of Dumaguete.  All the young and the young-at-heart flock to the nutty Spanish mansion of  Dr. Absin, a practicing anesthesiologist  who has successfully created an institution out of a genuine passion for art and decoration and a flair for the dramatic. .
    christmas-house-dumaguete-01.jpg
  • Manila Street Fashion - Nothing explains the Filipino character better than the word exhuberance.  A passion for costumes, dressing up, funny hats and beauty pageants makes the Philippines a natural when it comes to street fashion.  Although the country's hot, humid climate usually requires casual, comfortable clothing, there is usually a bit of flair added for extra value and fun.
    manila-street-fashion-02.jpg
  • Costume Play Maids are a classic stand-by of cosplayers.  Every Sunday, cosplay characters of various types meet up in Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter. Cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes. Cosplay maids were once de rigeur, with semi-sexual connotations but have fallen out of favor with the cosplayers for this very reason.
    costume-play-maid-1.jpg
  • Costume Play Maids - A wide variety of "costume play" getups are shown here: goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime,  the sweet-and-innocent frilly look or combinations in between (goth lolly)  Every Sunday, these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter. Most casual observers say that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls congregate in Harajuku and Aoyama - Tokyo headquarters of Fendi, Hanae Mori and Issey Miyake, others consider it is a reaction to high fashion. Whatever the cause, cosplay aficionados put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes every Sunday. One wonders what they wear on Monday morning...
    costume-play-maid-2.jpg
  • La Machine at Minato Mirai, celebrating Yokohama's 150 years as a seaport and Japan's opening to the world.   No ideas why the French "La Machine" spider was invited to participate but it's a crowd pleaser.
    la-machine-spider-3.jpg
  • The post-industrial era of Japan has brought new cultural products and thus new associations to Japan, including karaoke, Tamagotchi, Pokemon, Aibo, and Hello Kitty.
    japanese-kitsch-1.jpg
  • The Hakodate Transportation Bureau  is the public transportation authority of Hakodate, Japan. The bureau only operates tram lines.  The current network is consisted of 4 lines with 2 routes.  Streetcars come once every 10 minutes or so on each route.
    hakodate-streetcar-1.jpg
  • The SM Mall of Asia, also known as MOA, is a shopping mall owned by the SM Group, the largest mall developer in the Philippines. Mall of Asia is the 2nd largest shopping mall in the Philippines and occupies more than 410,000 square meters. The mall is located on Manila Bay and attracts daily foot traffic of 200,000 people and even more  on weekends.
    mall-of-asia-4.jpg
  • The Mall of Asia, also known as MOA, is  the second largest shopping mall in the Philippines and occupies more than 410,000 square meters. The mall is located on Manila Bay and attracts daily foot traffic of 200,000 people.  Besides a huge array of shops, there is also entertainment such as mimes and even a Mall of Asia marching band that troupes through every hour or so...
    mall-of-asia-1.jpg
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