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  • 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
  • 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-2.jpg
  • Wine Bath at Yunessun Springs - 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-wine-bath-1.jpg
  • Coffee 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-coffee-bath-2.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
  • 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-21.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-02.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade 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-8.jpg
  • Designed by architect Dr. Dang Viet Nga, this collection of buildings is called  “crazy house” by the people of Dalat because of its outlandish design.  The architect wanted free curves and structures, not straight lines and planes.
    dalat-crazy-house-5.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-1.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-12.jpg
  • Shinto Priest 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-09.jpg
  • Alfred Hitchcock Room at Vintage Papaya - Papaya Vintage is like no other shop you have even seen - a warehouse in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok brimming with collectables, action figures, junk, exquisite antiques, and more. The adventure begins as your eyes zoom in on toys and objects from the past, reminders of moments of your childhood. Think: Darth Vader and Ultraman figures, gazing onto James Dean forever posing cool next to a doorway. Climbing the upper floors is like moving randomly through time. You can't help but notice the vintage Vespas and mannequins of comic characters Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all standing next to toy cars, fluffy sofas, bean bag chairs, and grandma's lampshade.
    vintage-papaya-23.jpg
  • Papaya Vintage is like no other shop you have even seen - a warehouse in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok brimming with collectables, action figures, junk, exquisite antiques, and more. The adventure begins as your eyes zoom in on toys and objects from the past, reminders of moments of your childhood. Think: Darth Vader and Ultraman figures, gazing onto James Dean forever posing cool next to a doorway. Climbing the upper floors is like moving randomly through time. You can't help but notice the vintage Vespas and mannequins of comic characters Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all standing next to toy cars, fluffy sofas, bean bag chairs, and grandma's lampshade.
    vintage-papaya-15.jpg
  • The Kappa Kawataro is a water spirit of Japan, with webbed hands and feet and a tortoise shell.  Crowning their head of page-boy style hair is a circular depression filled with water.Such demons are said to be the ghosts of drowned souls.  They have immense strength - the source of this power comes from the stored water within the dish on their head.  Activities from this demon can range from mischievous to deadly. It enjoys passing gas and forever gives off a fishy odour.  The kappa enjoys vegetarian cuisine particularly eggplants and cucumbers.
    kappa-1.jpg
  • Colorful Pants Display at Chatuchak Market - sometimes called the Weekend Market is the largest market in Thailand, and one of the largest of the world.  It covers over 35 acres and contains more than 5,000 stalls not counting wandering vendors and street entertainers. On a good day the market receives between 200,000 and 300,000 visitors. The market offers a wide variety of products including household items, clothing, Thai handicrafts, religious artifacts, collectibles, foods and even live animals.
    chatuchak-12.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
  • Okame Fat Faced Woman and 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-17.jpg
  • Bulol statues or fertility idols, traditional wood carvings depicting a rice god guarding it. A touch on the belly of a Fertility Statue is said to do wonders to those who wish to conceive.  A touch on the belly of a Fertility Statue is said to do wonders to those who wish to conceive.
    bulol-5.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-1.jpg
  • The approach to Wat Rong Khun has a pond filled with samsara to show the failures of enlightenment with grasping outstretched hands, grotesque, selfish looking "gargolyles" to symbolize how people in hell will suffer from their bad karma.
    samsara-5.jpg
  • Bald Mengake Mask at the Mengake Mask Parade at Goryo Jinja shrine.  At this unique Kamakura event local men wearing grotesque or comical masks leave Goshi Shrine parade through the nearby streets before returning to the shrine for the ceremony.
    mengake-4.jpg
  • Crazy House Hallway - Designed by architect Dang Viet Nga, this collection of buildings is called  "crazy house" by the people of Dalat, thanks to its outlandish design.  The architect wanted free curves and structures, not straight lines and planes.
    dalat-crazy-house-2.jpg
  • Bulol statues or fertility idols, traditional wood carvings depicting a rice god guarding it. A touch on the belly of a Fertility Statue is said to do wonders to those who wish to conceive.  A touch on the belly of a Fertility Statue is said to do wonders to those who wish to conceive.
    bulol-3.jpg
  • Dreamworld is an amusement park in  Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok. The park is divided into zones with specific themes such as Dream World Plaza, Dream Gardens, Fantasy Land, and Adventure Land.  The interior of the park is filled with over 40 imported rides and family attractions such as Fairy Tale Land, or Love Garden where you can fill your heart with love in the beautifully cultivated and romantically decorated garden complete with Cupid - among hundreds of floral heart creations scattered throughout the garden. Try the  Witch's Cave - the skull-shaped cave is the place where the wicked witch lives with her pet fire dragon
    bangkok-dreamworld-4.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade 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-5.jpg
  • Costume Play Punks Harajuku - 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-13.jpg
  • Godzilla Statue, Ohshima
    godzilla-statue-oshima.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
  • The Kappa Kawataro is a water spirit of Japan, with webbed hands and feet and a tortoise shell.  Crowning their head of page-boy style hair is a circular depression filled with water. Such demons are said to be the ghosts of drowned souls.  They have immense strength - the source of this power comes from the stored water within the dish on their head.  Activities from this demon can range from mischievous to deadly. It enjoys passing gas and forever gives off a fishy odour.  The kappa enjoys vegetarian cuisine particularly eggplants and cucumbers.
    kappa-2.jpg
  • Hang Nga Villa, usually called "Crazy House", was designed and built as a personal project by architect Dang Viet Nga. Its original name means "Moon Villa" as the designer and architect, Ms Dang Viet Nga, wanted to bring people closer to nature.  This is why when exploring through the halls and corridors, you feel like you are inside an artery or intestine.  Watch out or you might just run into a giant spider web!  The house is constructed with these naturalistic themes, interpreted via concrete twists and turns.  Tigers, giraffes and kangaroos made of concrete decorate the gardens, adding to the surreal environment.
    dalat-crazy-house-6.jpg
  • Hang Nga Villa, usually called "Crazy House", was designed and built as a personal project by architect Dang Viet Nga. Its original name means "Moon Villa" as the designer and architect, Ms Dang Viet Nga, wanted to bring people closer to nature.  This is why when exploring through the halls and corridors, you feel like you are inside an artery or intestine.  Watch out or you might just run into a giant spider web!  The house is constructed with these naturalistic themes, interpreted via concrete twists and turns.  Tigers, giraffes and kangaroos made of concrete decorate the gardens, adding to the surreal environment.
    dalat-crazy-house-3.jpg
  • The approach to Wat Rong Khun has a pond filled with samsara to show the failures of enlightenment with grasping outstretched hands, grotesque, selfish looking "gargolyles" to symbolize how people in hell will suffer from their bad karma.
    samsara-3.jpg
  • Okunoin is Japan's largest graveyard. People from all over Japan lie buried here including former lords, politicians and other prominent folks.
    okunoin-6.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
  • Papaya Vintage is like no other shop you have even seen - a warehouse in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok brimming with collectables, action figures, junk, exquisite antiques, and more. The adventure begins as your eyes zoom in on toys and objects from the past, reminders of moments of your childhood. Think: Darth Vader and Ultraman figures, gazing onto James Dean forever posing cool next to a doorway. Climbing the upper floors is like moving randomly through time. You can't help but notice the vintage Vespas and mannequins of comic characters Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all standing next to toy cars, fluffy sofas, bean bag chairs, and grandma's lampshade.
    vintage-papaya-16.jpg
  • Eclectic Period Room at Papaya Vintage - If Indiana Jones teamed up with the Oddities crew and set up a junk shop, Papaya Vintage is probably what it would look like. Papaya Vintage is like no other shop you have even seen - a warehouse in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok brimming with collectables, action figures, junk, exquisite antiques, and more. The adventure begins as your eyes zoom in on toys and objects from the past, reminders of moments of your childhood. Think: Darth Vader and Ultraman figures, gazing onto James Dean forever posing cool next to a doorway. Climbing the upper floors is like moving randomly through time. You can't help but notice the vintage Vespas and manaquins of comic characters Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all standing next to toy cars, fluffy sofas, bean bag chairs, and grandma's lampshade.
    vintage-papaya-13.jpg
  • Hang Nga Villa, usually called "Crazy House", was designed and built as a personal project by architect Dang Viet Nga. Its original name means "Moon Villa" as the designer and architect, Ms Dang Viet Nga, wanted to bring people closer to nature.  This is why when exploring through the halls and corridors, you feel like you are inside an artery or intestine.  Watch out or you might just run into a giant spider web!  The house is constructed with these naturalistic themes, interpreted via concrete twists and turns.  Tigers, giraffes and kangaroos made of concrete decorate the gardens, adding to the surreal environment.
    dalat-crazy-house-10.jpg
  • Dreamworld is an amusement park in  Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok. The park is divided into zones with specific themes such as Dream World Plaza, Dream Gardens, Fantasy Land, and Adventure Land.  The interior of the park is filled with over 40 imported rides and family attractions such as Fairy Tale Land, or Love Garden where you can fill your heart with love in the beautifully cultivated and romantically decorated garden complete with Cupid - among hundreds of floral heart creations scattered throughout the garden. Try the  Witch's Cave - the skull-shaped cave is the place where the wicked witch lives with her pet fire dragon
    bangkok-dreamworld-3.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
  • The Elephant Building or Chang Building  is a high-rise building located on Paholyothin Road & Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok. The building is one of the most famous buildings in Bangkok because it has the characteristics of an elephant with 32 floors and is 102 meters high, it was completed in 1997.
    elephant-building-3.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-4.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 100 Roofs Cafe, designed by a friend and colleague of the architect of "Crazy House" in Dalat.  This cafe, with its labyrinthe of caves, passageways, murals, masks and other paraphernalia is an ongoing work of art. In some of the newer rooms, the cement is still drying.  The cafe even manages to serve tea and snacks.
    100-roofs-cafe-4.jpg
  • Costume Play Bloody Brunette Nurse - A wide variety of "costume play" getups from nurses, bloddy nurses,  goths, cartoon characters from Japanese manga and anime...Every Sunday cosplayers meet up in Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter and show their latest creations. Casual observers think that cos-play is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay girls Tokyo's high fashion district HQ for Hanae Mori, Fendi and Issey Miyake, some pundits observe that it is rather a reaction to high fashion.  You can't help but imagine what they could possibly wear on Monday mornings though.
    costume-play-3.jpg
  • Giant Outdoor Chessboard
    giant-chess-game-2.jpg
  • Lake Toya  or Toyako as it is known in Japanese is part of the Shikotsu Toya National Park. In addition to the lake itself, the Toyako region features hot springs and an active volcano, Mount Usu, which last erupted in the year 2000. The area also offers many fishing, hiking, and camping opportunities..The picturesque lake was chosen as the location of the the G8 summit which Japan hosted from July 7 to 9, 2008. The leaders of the world's eight major industrialized democracies met at the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort & Spa.
    lake-toya-3.jpg
  • Mengake Mask Procession - Mengake or Masked Parade 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-9.jpg
  • Costume Play Lolita - The classic  sweet and innocent frilly look in costume play sometimes takes the form of a "maid" though the "Lolita" is a favorite innocent look.  Every Sunday, cosplay characters of various stripes from goths, nurses, impersonators of manga, anime or pop bands converge on Harajuku, Tokyo's fashion quarter.  Cosplayers put a tremendous amount of effort into their costumes.  Ths innocent look has always been popular in Japan.
    costume-play-9.jpg
  • Costume Play Goth Lolitas. A wide variety of "costume play" getups takes in goths, goth lollys, cartoon characters from Japanese manga, anime,  the sweet-and-innocent frilly look or combinations in between. Each and every Sunday these cosplay characters converge on Harajuku Tokyo's fashion district. Most casual observers say that cosplay is a reaction to the rigid rules of Japanese society. But since so many cosplay kids 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. Though one does wonder what they wear on Monday morning...
    costume-play-goths-2.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
  • Mood Lights at Papaya Vintage - Papaya Vintage is like no other shop you have even seen - a warehouse in the Lat Phrao area of Bangkok brimming with collectables, action figures, junk, exquisite antiques, and more. The adventure begins as your eyes zoom in on toys and objects from the past, reminders of moments of your childhood. Think: Darth Vader and Ultraman figures, gazing onto James Dean forever posing cool next to a doorway. Climbing the upper floors is like moving randomly through time. You can't help but notice the vintage Vespas and mannequins of comic characters Flash, Wolverine, Green Lantern and Batman, all standing next to toy cars, fluffy sofas, bean bag chairs, and grandma's lampshade.
    vintage-papaya-1.jpg
  • Coffee Bath at Kowakien Yunessun - 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 specialty baths such as this coffee bath with real coffee ceremonially dumped on bathers shoulders.
    yunessun-coffee-bath-1.jpg
  • Man with his Iguana and body painting of Santo Nino the local patron saint of Cebu. Like the image's counterpart in Prague, the figure is clothed in expensive textile robes mostly donations from fervent devotees in the Philippines and abroad. The statue is the oldest Catholic relic in the Philippines and permanently housed since 1565 at the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in Cebu City.
    iguana-man-02.jpg
  • Kep Crab Statue - The symbol of the Kep Coast since fresh, abundant crabs are what the ara is famous for.
    kep-crab-02.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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 serious.
    eirinji-disciples-2.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 River - 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-6.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-1.jpg
  • Ginza Mikimoto Building - 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..
    ginza-mikimoto-1.jpg
  • Ginza De Beers Building - 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..
    ginza-de-beers-2.jpg
  • Takeshima Fantasy Museum displays a magical world created from over 50,000 shells from 110 different countries. Admire the creations of coral reefs, mermaids, tunnels, shipwrecks, puffing dragons, and even the story of Urashima Taro. Each sculpture is made completely out of shells.
    Takeshima-Fantasy-Museum-18.jpg
  • Takeshima Fantasy Museum displays a magical world created from over 50,000 shells from 110 different countries. Admire the creations of coral reefs, mermaids, tunnels, shipwrecks, puffing dragons, and even the story of Urashima Taro. Each sculpture is made completely out of shells.
    Takeshima-Fantasy-Museum-13.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-10.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-3.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-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-2.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-5.jpg
  • Kongsi or "clan halls" are benevolent organizations of popular origin found among overseas Chinese communities.  This type of social practice arose several centuries ago in China. The Chinese word Kongsi is used in modern Chinese to mean a commercial "company"; the modern term for such associations is hui guan literally meaning "meeting hall".  The system of kongsi was utilized by Chinese throughout the diaspora to overcome economic difficulty, social ostracism, and oppression. In today's overseas Chinese communities throughout the world, this approach has been adapted to the modern environment, including political and legal factors. The kongsi is similar to modern business partnerships, but also draws on a deeper spirit of cooperation and consideration of mutual welfare.
    malacca-chinatown-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
  • 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
  • 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-6.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
  • Nishi Rokugo Koen in Tokyo is affectionately known as Tire Park or "Taiya Koen" made of up used recycled tires of every size in the shape of robots, dragons, swings, bridges, tunnels and mountains. Approximately 3,000 old tires were used to make  the playground, popular with local neighbors and visitors from other parks of Tokyo for its sheer novelty.
    tire-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
  • Narita Airport 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-9.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.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-1.jpg
  • Dotombori Sushi 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-9.jpg
  • Don Quijote Dotombori Branch - 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-5.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-4.jpg
  • Ginza De Beers Building - 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..
    ginza-de-beers-1.jpg
  • Takeshima Fantasy Museum displays a magical world created from over 50,000 shells from 110 different countries. Admire the creations of coral reefs, mermaids, tunnels, shipwrecks, puffing dragons, and even the story of Urashima Taro. Urashima Taro is a Japanese legend about a young fisherman who rescues a turtle and is rewarded with a visit to the palace of Ryujin the Dragon God under the sea. He stays there for a few days and on his return finds that he has aged 300 years. Each sculpture is made completely out of shells.
    Takeshima-Fantasy-Museum-14.jpg
  • Takeshima Fantasy Museum displays a magical world created from over 50,000 shells from 110 different countries. Admire the creations of coral reefs, mermaids, tunnels, shipwrecks, puffing dragons, and even the story of Urashima Taro. Each sculpture is made completely out of shells.
    Takeshima-Fantasy-Museum-9.jpg
  • Reversible Destiny at Yoro Park is an “experiential” place where you are supposed to encounter the unexpected. The park’s creation was a collaboration of two artists: Madeline Gins and Shusaku Arakawa.  Everything feels a bit off at Reversible Destiny because of all the angles so as to adjust your senses if not your destiny. The park is a combination of domes, steep hills, trails and holes with trees in them. Critical Resemblance House is part maze, part house - the roof is in the shape of a map of Gifu Prefecture.  Inside are desks, ovens, refrigerators, toilets, beds sticking out of walls and the ceiling.   Insect Mountain Range is a group of rocks - meaning humans don’t have to be confined to the natural world and can choose alternatives.  Exactitude Ridge is a bridge sticking out of the ground that stops and goes nowhere.
    reversible-destiny-13.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-8.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-9.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-4.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-1.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.  This one is wearing a Poleng.
    balinese-togog-2.jpg
  • Public art in the context of natural surroundings of Naoshima island has become famous around Japan, as a part of the Benesse House Art Project.  Today you can find many examples of works unique to Naoshima scattered around the island. EDITORIAL USAGE ONLY - LICENSING OUTSIDE JAPAN ONLY
    naoshima-public-art-3.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
  • Glico Sign at Dotombori a district, famous for its neon and mechanized signs, including candy manufacturer Glico's giant electronic display of a runner crossing the finish line, moving giant crabs and other dramatic kitsch.
    dotombori-1.jpg
  • Taj Mahal 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-7.jpg
  • Pyramids 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-10.jpg
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