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  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Godzilla Slide, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-slide-02.jpg
  • Godzilla Slide, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-slide-01.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-1.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-9.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-6.jpg
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-3.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
  • 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
  • Tokyo Godzilla Statue, Hibiya
    tokyo-godzilla.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Godzilla, Kurihama Flower World - Ever since 1954, Godzilla has becomie a pop icon around the world.  The creature has appeared in novels, comic books, video games, TV shows and several sequels to the original film both in Japan and Hollywood.  Godzilla is usually portrayed as an enormous, scary sea creature with atomic breath.  Godzilla is so ingrained in the culture that there are numerous Godzilla statues all over Japan. Huge Godzilla statues can be found in several locations including Shinjuku, Oshima Island, Hibiya Square and Kurihama Flower World where you can even enter Godzilla’s crotch to go down a slide from his backside… whee!!!!
    godzilla-5.jpg
  • The Takenokuzoku in Harajuku are the forerunners of the costume players, and still make occasional appearances regularly in Harajuku on Sunday, dancing their hearts out after carefully coiffing their hair-dos.
    Takenokozoku.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
  • Fukurokokuji Diety of Good Fortune 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-28.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-02.jpg
  • Legendary Sage, Jiang Zi Ya at Haw Par Villa - 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-legendary-sage-2.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-3.jpg
  • Indian Bricklayers
    indian-laborer-1.jpg
  • Savan Vegas Hotel and Casino has 499 hotel rooms and 5000 square meters of gaming and entertainment space. Savan Vegas regularly hosts gaming tournaments and other events. The facility attracts an average of 4000 visitors per day.  The resort facility employs a staff of nearly 2000 people, 90% of which are Lao citizens.  Savan Vegas provides housing, meals, clothing, medical care, and language instruction to many of its employees at no cost.  Savan Vegas provides complementary shuttle service for all guests arriving at Savannakhet Airport and the nearby Thai border.
    savan-vegas-casino-4.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-2.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-1.jpg
  • Long Nosed Mengake Mask at  Mengake Parade Procession at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this festival a group of ten people take part in this annual ritual: 8 men and 2 women. Wearing grotesque or comical masks  leave the shrine and parade through the nearby streets accompanied by portable shrine and festival music.
    mengake-6.jpg
  • Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo offer a wide variety of items to help in practicing spiritual and religious ceremony. Tribal masks and statues from around the world symbolizing our ancestors connection with the spirit and earth. Talismans and charms directed towards many different supplications, including voodoo dolls, are available here.
    voodoo-shop-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-disciples-3.jpg
  • Fresco at La Porta Izumi No Mon - a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed "Japan's Gaudi".  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention several trompe d'oeils that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-12.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-23.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
  • 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-14.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
  • 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
  • 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-15.jpg
  • Faces at Dotonbori Hotel -The Dotonbori Hotel in Osaka welcomes guests 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 unique architecture.
    dotombori-hotel-3.jpg
  • Legendary Sage, Jiang Zi Ya at Haw Par Villa - a wacky theme park in Singapore.  The park has over a thousand statues and a hundred dioramas with scenes from Chinese mythology, folklore and legends.  Originally called Tiger Balm Gardens, the place was built by the Burmese brothers Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par who were the developers of Tiger Balm. They created the park in 1937 for educating the public about traditional Chinese values.
    haw-par-legendary-sage-1.jpg
  • Tiger car at Haw Par Villa - 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-tiger-car-1.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
  • 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-7.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 richsaws still ply the streets, the fixed rate ensure 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. The rickshaws add to the color of Melaka.
    malacca-rickshaw-2.jpg
  • Tuol Sleng or the Genocide Museum is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The site is a former high school which was used as the notorious Security Prison 21 (S-21) by the Khmer Rouge communist regime from its rise to power in 1975 to its fall in 1979. Tuol Sleng  means "Hill of the Poisonous Trees" or "Strychnine Hill".
    tuol-sieng-1.jpg
  • Sri Lankan Stilt Fishermen - Stilt fishing is fishing in relatively shallow water on a platform made up of a stilt. This is a common method used by Sri Lankan fisherman when fishing in or arround reefs not far away from the shore.  Most of the stilt fishing is done along the South Coast of Sri Lanka near the village of Kogala.
    stilt-fishermen-01.jpg
  • Sri Lankan Stilt Fishermen - Stilt fishing is fishing in relatively shallow water on a platform made up of a stilt. This is a common method used by Sri Lankan fisherman when fishing in or arround reefs not far away from the shore.  Most of the stilt fishing is done along the South Coast of Sri Lanka near the village of Kogala.
    stilt-fishermen-03.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
  • Goa Gajah, commonly known as the Elephant Cave, is located in a steep valley just outside of Ubud near the village of Bedulu.  Built at least 700 years ago the cave was rediscovered in the 1920s.
    goa-gajah-02.jpg
  • The Keihin region or keihin chiho refers to the industrial region of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki though most of it is clustered around Kawasaki along Tokyo Bay.  Keihin is one of the important industrial districts in Japan with huge factories lit up at night which appears as a kind of efficient artwork, almost, depending on your point of view.  In recent years, despite its pollution, it has become something of a tourist attraction in Japan.  In fact the city of Kawasaki is promoting it as such these days, with boat cruises and guided tours of the factories.
    keihin-industrial-3.jpg
  • The Keihin region or keihin chiho refers to the industrial region of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki though most of it is clustered around Kawasaki along Tokyo Bay.  Keihin is one of the important industrial districts in Japan with huge factories lit up at night which appears as a kind of efficient artwork, almost, depending on your point of view.  In recent years, despite its pollution, it has become something of a tourist attraction in Japan.  In fact the city of Kawasaki is promoting it as such these days, with boat cruises and guided tours of the factories.
    keihin-industrial-5.jpg
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in the valley of the Yokoyu River that flows from Shiga Kogen ski area of the northern part of Nagano Prefecture.  Japanese monkeys, Macaque Fuscata, are the species that live in the northern part of the world. They live in forests, mainly in Honshu.  Jigokudani is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that stay in the valley during the winter, and like to bathe in the local hot springs. .
    jigokudani-monkey-park-09.jpg
  • Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in the valley of the Yokoyu River that flows from Shiga Kogen ski area of the northern part of Nagano Prefecture.  Japanese monkeys, Macaque Fuscata, are the species that live in the northern part of the world. They live in forests, mainly in Honshu.  Jigokudani is famous for its large population of wild Japanese Macaques more commonly referred to as Snow Monkeys, that stay in the valley during the winter, and like to bathe in the local hot springs. .
    jigokudani-monkey-park-23.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
  • Faces at Dotonbori Hotel -The Dotonbori Hotel in Osaka welcomes guests 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-2.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
  • Okunoin is the temple where Kobo Daishi - the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the religious history of Japan, rests in eternal meditation. It is considered one of the most sacred places in Japan. Okunoin is surrounded by Japan's largest graveyard. People from all over Japan, who wished to be buried close to Kobo Daishi, lie there, including former feudal lords, politicians and other prominent personalities. Their graves line the approaches to Okunoin for several hundred meters through the forest.
    okunoin-4.jpg
  • "Way to the Hidden Garden" by Dani Karavan- Sapporo Art Park displays the works of 65 artists, including pieces by modern Japanese sculptors and other works by artists from Sapporo's sister cities.  The artists of these works visited the park to fit their sculptures into the landscape considering the conditions, landscape and the climate of Sapporo. These sculptures show various expressions according to the time and the weather of northern Japan, which varies greatly from season to season. Strolling through the woods you encounter these sculptures among the trees in the open air.
    sapporo-art-park-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
  • Japanese Family Cycle is a new way for Japanese families to be together
    japanese-family.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
  • Topiary Birds at the Sofitel Hua Hin - The artful topiary at the Sofitel Hua Hin Resort are an attraction in themselves, whether or not you stay at this landmark hotel, formerly called the Railway Hotel.
    topiary-2.jpg
  • Dancing the polka in Red Square?  What was formerly a grim symbol of Soviet dominance, Red Square in Moscow has developed a lighthearted air in recent years.
    moscow-red-square-3.jpg
  • Hanoi Old Quarter Herbalist - Reptile Potions in the Old Quarter, Hanoi - In Hanoi Old Quarter each street had merchants and artisans specialized in a particular trade such as silk, jewellery, coffee and herbs. The street names reflect these specializations although few of them remain exclusively in their original commerce.
    vietnamese-herbalist.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.
    shishimai-6.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
  • 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
  • Etrance to La Porta Izumi No Mon - a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed "Japan's Gaudi".  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention several trompe d'oeils that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-10.jpg
  • La Porta Mind Waa is a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed Japan's Gaudi.  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention the use of trompe d'oeil that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-11.jpg
  • Fresco at La Porta Izumi No Mon - a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed "Japan's Gaudi".  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention several trompe d'oeils that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-07.jpg
  • La Porta Mind Waa is a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed Japan's Gaudi.  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention the use of trompe d'oeil that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-04.jpg
  • La Porta Izumi No Mon Entrance - La Porta Izumi No Mon is a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed "Japan's Gaudi".  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention several trompe d'oeils that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-03.jpg
  • La Porta Izumi No Mon Entrance - La Porta Izumi No Mon is a whimsically designed building in Daitabashi Tokyo that was designed by Von Jour Caux who is really Toshiro Tanaka, a renowned Japanese architect who has been dubbed "Japan's Gaudi".  His unihibited building designs usually include lots of color and unexpected artifacts attached to the structures, not to mention several trompe d'oeils that are frequently used for his amusement.
    izumi-apartments-01.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
  • 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-25.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-20.jpg
  • Karasu Tengu Crow Goblin 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-18.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
  • Japanese Musicians 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-11.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-08.jpg
  • Drummer 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-05.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
  • 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
  • 52.6 Okunoin 奥の院 is the place where Kobo Daishi - the founder of Shingon Buddhism and one of the most revered persons in the history of Japan, rests in eternal meditation.  Okunoin is considered one of the most sacred places in Japan and is surrounded by Japan's largest graveyard. People from all over Japan lie buried here, including former feudal lords, politicians and other prominent personalities.
    52.6.KII-KOYASAN-09.jpg
  • The Keihin region or keihin chiho refers to the industrial region of Tokyo, Yokohama and Kawasaki though most of it is clustered around Kawasaki along Tokyo Bay.  Keihin is one of the important industrial districts in Japan with huge factories lit up at night which appears as a kind of efficient artwork, almost, depending on your point of view.  In recent years, despite its pollution, it has become something of a tourist attraction in Japan.  In fact the city of Kawasaki is promoting it as such these days, with boat cruises and guided tours of the factories.  Strictly speaking, most of these sites are not abandoned or haikyo explorer territory, but they resembled them enough to be on anyone's urban explorer itinerary.
    keihin-industrial-pipes.jpg
  • The Maishima Sludge Center has a playful, coloring book exterior, which brilliantly hides the sludge running through the sewers of Osaka.  Although the Sludge Center does not offer tours or displays of sludge, understandably, it is affiiliated withe the Osaka Sewerage Science Museum that does have an educational display of the Maishima Sludge Center, fo those interested in the process of sewers and sludge.
    maishima-sludge-center-11.jpg
  • The Maishima Sludge Center has a playful, coloring book exterior, which brilliantly hides the sludge running through the sewers of Osaka.  Although the Sludge Center does not offer tours or displays of sludge, understandably, it is affiiliated withe the Osaka Sewerage Science Museum that does have an educational display of the Maishima Sludge Center, fo those interested in the process of sewers and sludge.
    maishima-sludge-center-6.jpg
  • The Maishima Sludge Center has a playful, coloring book exterior, which brilliantly hides the sludge running through the sewers of Osaka.  Although the Sludge Center does not offer tours or displays of sludge, understandably, it is affiiliated withe the Osaka Sewerage Science Museum that does have an educational display of the Maishima Sludge Center, fo those interested in the process of sewers and sludge.
    maishima-sludge-center-8.jpg
  • The Maishima Sludge Center has a playful, coloring book exterior, which brilliantly hides the sludge running through the sewers of Osaka.  Although the Sludge Center does not offer tours or displays of sludge, understandably, it is affiiliated withe the Osaka Sewerage Science Museum that does have an educational display of the Maishima Sludge Center, fo those interested in the process of sewers and sludge.
    maishima-sludge-center-2.jpg
  • The Maishima Sludge Center has a playful, coloring book exterior, which brilliantly hides the sludge running through the sewers of Osaka.  Although the Sludge Center does not offer tours or displays of sludge, understandably, it is affiiliated withe the Osaka Sewerage Science Museum that does have an educational display of the Maishima Sludge Center, fo those interested in the process of sewers and sludge.
    maishima-sludge-center-3.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-26.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
  • 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-25.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 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-19.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
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