This little town supplies Japan with most of its calligraphy brushes, still made by hand from animal fur.
Archives: Atlas Obscuras
Hanging Crocodile at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Immaculate Tears
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Moscow’s Other, Lesser Known Kremlin
The Izmailovo Kremlin is a fairytale-like cultural complex modeled after Old Russia.
The Asian Elephant Herds of Udawalawe National Park
Discover Udawalawe National Park in Moneragala, Sri Lanka: Huge herds of Asian elephants can be seen walking, bathing, and just chilling at this Sri Lankan park.
The Abandoned São Domingo Mine
The deserted mining village now resembles a post-apocalyptic landscape of derelict buildings and blood-red pools of water.
Kumsusan Palace of the Sun
Discover Kumsusan Palace of the Sun in Pyongyang, North Korea: A former palace transformed into a mausoleum for North Korea's supreme leaders.
Holy Mountain of Grabarka
Discover Holy Mountain of Grabarka in Grabarka, Poland: Crosses of all shapes, sizes and colors litter the mountain, the site of a huge yearly Orthodox pilgrimage.
Tulane’s Mardi Gras Bead Tree
Discover Tulane’s Mardi Gras Bead Tree in New Orleans, Louisiana: After the parade, students throw their beads on the tree hoping for good luck on exams.
Petroglyphs of Figurehead Rock
Ancient carvings on a glacial boulder at the tip of Bainbridge Island.
This Secret Facility Trained Seals for the Navy
The seals were taught to locate submarines and torpedoes during World War II.
A Victorian-Style Dime Museum in Wisconsin
The Wondertorium features weird entertainments of yesteryear, from feejee mermaids to flea circuses.
Kolossi Castle
Discover Kolossi Castle in Kolossi, Cyprus: This 700-year-old Cyprus castle is the birthplace of the world's oldest wine, said to be toasted by Richard the Lionheart at his wedding.
This Poor Little Statue Is the Most Vandalized Memorial in Washington
Washington, D.C.'s Meridian Hill Park has been dubbed the “Death Valley of statuary.”
Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel
Discover Nose Hill Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel in Calgary, Alberta: This First Nations monument is a peaceful spot with vast views of the Calgary prairie.
National Museum of the Playing Card
Discover National Museum of the Playing Card in Turnhout, Belgium: Relics from as far back as the 16th century are on display in a city known for its playing card industry.
Cheetah Sanctuary in Cape Town, South Africa
Visitors to this endangered animal rescue can snuggle cheetah cubs.
The Coffee Pot
Discover The Coffee Pot in Lexington, Virginia: The oddly shaped, steam-spewing building is now an art studio and gallery.
Lord Howe Island’s Time
Discover Lord Howe Island's Time in Lord Howe Island, Australia: In a strange timezone anomaly, Daylight Saving Time here sets the clocks forward just 30 minutes.
Public School 972
Discover Public School 972 in Dallas, Texas: A school-themed restaurant where gastronomy is the core curriculum.
The Troll Hole
Discover The Troll Hole in Alliance, Ohio: A record-size collection of wild-haired troll dolls tells the story of the mythical creature's roots in Scandinavian folklore.