Be it big watermelons grown within the shapes of hearts and cubes; spas the place you possibly can soak your whole physique in a big steaming vat of ramen noodles (full with a aromatic pork-based broth); or recreation exhibits through which contestants try to eat spaghetti whereas getting spun round helter-skelter in a dryer, Japanese tradition actually has an affinity for the odder issues in life.
When it involves museums, the nation boasts some equally extraordinary treasures devoted to nationwide cultural obsessions – from cup noodles and ninjas to kites and animated movies. Here are a couple of to take a look at in your subsequent journey to Japan.
1. Cup Noodle Museum, Yokohama
Fresh, frozen or prompt – the Japanese actually love their noodles, even when it comes packaged in a Styrofoam cup. Visitors to the Cup Noodle Museum in central Yokohama can discover out concerning the historical past, manufacturing course of and cultural significance of the standard dish through an array of analogue, digital and interactive reveals. You may even strive your hand at making noodles from scratch on the Chicken Ramen Factory; or assemble your personal cup noodles – all the way in which all the way down to the package deal design – to take dwelling with you as a memento.
2. Meguro Parasitological Museum, Tokyo
Fancy getting up shut and private with some distinctive creepy crawlies? Japan’s capital is dwelling to the Meguro Parasitological Museum, a non-public museum devoted to the science of parasitology that was based in 1953. As one of many solely museums on the earth utterly devoted to parasites, the two-storey attraction has a whopping upwards of 60,000 specimens in its spectacular assortment, and shows round 300 of them for guests. The must-see exhibit is among the world’s longest tapeworms, measuring a formidable 8.8 metres in size.
3. Ninja Museum of Igaryu, Mie Prefecture
While there have been many films about Japanese ninjas, not a lot is thought concerning the historical past of those historical intelligence officers. Learn about ninjas and ninjutsu (the technique and techniques practiced by ninjas) on the Ninja Museum of Igaryu. You can try reveals showcasing clothes and written secret codes; peruse shows of over 400 instruments; and catch an thrilling live-action present the place conventional weapons resembling shuriken (a hidden hand blade), swords and kusarigama (which includes a sickle and a weight) are used to exhibit how ninjas used to do battle. The museum’s present store additionally purports to promote uncommon and unique ninja items that can’t be discovered anyplace else.
4. Ghibli Museum, Tokyo
From Princess Mononoke (1997) and My Neighbour Totoro (1988) to Spirited Away (2001) and The Wind Rises (2014), Studio Ghibli has given the world a lot pleasure with their whimsical, heartfelt animated movies. If you’re trying to dive into all issues Ghibli, pencil in a go to to this one-of-a-kind attraction. Located within the Mitaka suburb of Tokyo, it’s right here that you simply’ll discover an immersive wonderland of movie screenings, reveals, animations, shows and even out of doors points of interest devoted to the magical universes dreamed up by the animation studio over time. Be certain to snap an image with the enormous Totoro mascot on the entrance. Tickets are extraordinarily restricted and promote out effectively prematurely, so do ebook as early as doable.
5. Sand Museum, Tottori
The world’s solely indoor museum totally dedicated to sand sculptures, the Sand Museum within the coastal metropolis of Tottori reveals numerous artworks made out of sand obtained from close by dunes. Each 12 months, the museum – which is helmed by award-winning sand sculptor Chaen Katsuhiko – bases its reveals round a sure theme and invitations world-class sand sculptors to create works that talk to the subject. Thereafter, the non permanent reveals are demolished, and the sand is returned again to its pure surroundings. If you’re planning to go to, do observe that the museum closes yearly between January and mid-April, to permit time for artists to demolish the earlier exhibition and construct new sculptures following the brand new theme chosen.
6. Kite Museum, Tokyo
Despite being one of many smaller museum in Japan, this attraction is a price a go to to take a look at the colorful assortment of kites sourced from everywhere in the world. The Kite Museum was initially created in 1977 by fanatic Shingo Modegi and, regardless of his passing, the museum lives on as a tribute to his quirky obsession. You’ll discover roughly 300 totally different kites from numerous eras (some date all the way in which again to the Edo interval) displayed alongside the partitions, hanging from the ceiling and positioned in packed show cupboards. There are reportedly one other 3,500 kites held in storage.
Please verify the institutions’ respective web sites for opening hours in addition to reserving and seating necessities earlier than visiting, and keep in mind to stick to safe-distancing measures whereas out and about.
To study extra about Singapore Airlines flights, go to singaporeair.com.