Every country has its customs, events & idiosyncrasies that can seem strange to outsiders. After all, America is the home of the McRib and the Lady Gaga, so we're hardly in a position to refer to anyone else's stuff as inexplicable.
Still, Japan seems to embrace weird more than a hundred Portlands and Austins combined, as evidenced below. We can't quite tell you exactly what is happening in these pictures, but we think you'll find them as gloriously bizarre as we did.
Meanwhile, in Japan... things are way less boring than they are where you live.
Meanwhile, In Japan...
"Silent Hill" Promotional Event In Tokyo(01 of19)
Like that thing you saw in the street that gave you nightmares for weeks? Play the video game! (credit:Getty Images)
Art(02 of19)
Here, the artist demonstrates the dangers of eating while watching television... probably. (credit:Getty Images)
Lap Pillow(03 of19)
For the lonely and depraved. (credit:Getty Images)
Just something you might see(04 of19)
You know, as you go about your day. (credit:Getty Images)
Bilk(05 of19)
Beer made from milk... excuse us, for a moment... blechhhhh... sorry, where were we? (credit:Getty Images)
Designer False Eyelashes (06 of19)
The hefty price is worth it, when you have the opportunity to look like Snuffleupagus. (credit:Getty Images)
A Chocolate Bath(07 of19)
Fun for the whole family! (credit:Getty Images)
This Is Halloween(08 of19)
Someone went all out for his barrel/claw-machine/clown costume. (credit:Getty Images)
A Street Performance (09 of19)
A sight for sore eyes. (credit:Getty Images)
Dentist Kids(10 of19)
They have to learn sometime. (credit:Getty Images)
Hello Kitty Toaster(11 of19)
Now you can finally have a sandwich that smiles back at you. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="8" data-vars-position-in-unit="8">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63770279@N04/7239390702" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="TRF_Mr_Hyde" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/63770279@N04/7239390702" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="9" data-vars-position-in-unit="9">TRF_Mr_Hyde</a>)
Snow White Rabbit(12 of19)
The weirdest part about this rabbit dressed up as Snow White is that it's for a rabbit fashion contest. (credit:Getty Images)
An Everyday Outfit (13 of19)
With his goggle hat, face mask, and monster hands, this man is ready to take the city by storm. (credit:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="Flickr" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="6" data-vars-position-in-unit="6">Flickr</a>:<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88774309@N00/3464897678" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="permanently scatterbrained" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.flickr.com/photos/88774309@N00/3464897678" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="7" data-vars-position-in-unit="7">permanently scatterbrained</a>)
A Useful Video Game(14 of19)
Mastering the art of peeing has never been so fun. (credit:<a href="http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html?cpg=70H" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="thinkgeek" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.thinkgeek.com/stuff/41/superpiipii.html?cpg=70H" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="5" data-vars-position-in-unit="5">thinkgeek</a>)
A Supportive Audience(15 of19)
Man's favorite public restroom. (credit:<a href="http://www.legaljuice.com/2010/08/post_151.html" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="legaljuice" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.legaljuice.com/2010/08/post_151.html" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="4" data-vars-position-in-unit="4">legaljuice</a>)
Toilet Paper Crown(16 of19)
Don't let seasonal allergies get you down. (credit:<a href="http://thechive.com/2012/05/11/weird-sht-from-japan-28-photos/weird-japanese-stuff-20/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="thechive" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://thechive.com/2012/05/11/weird-sht-from-japan-28-photos/weird-japanese-stuff-20/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="3" data-vars-position-in-unit="3">thechive</a>)
A Man And His Panda(17 of19)
Don't you hate it when this happens? (credit:<a href="http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2013/01/18/funny-pic-dump-1-18-13/crissy101/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="pleated-jeans" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.pleated-jeans.com/2013/01/18/funny-pic-dump-1-18-13/crissy101/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="2" data-vars-position-in-unit="2">pleated-jeans</a>)
Baby Mop(18 of19)
They're crawling around down there anyway. (credit:<a href="http://www.dailyonigiri.com/2010/01/weird-japanese-inventions/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="dailyonigiri" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.dailyonigiri.com/2010/01/weird-japanese-inventions/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="1" data-vars-position-in-unit="1">dailyonigiri</a>)
Look Alike Dolls(19 of19)
A toy for the narcissist in all of us. (credit:<a href="http://www.incrediblethings.com/lists/14-bizarre-japanese-toys/" role="link" class=" js-entry-link cet-external-link" data-vars-item-name="incrediblethings.com" data-vars-item-type="text" data-vars-unit-name="5bad1398e4b04234e856895c" data-vars-unit-type="buzz_body" data-vars-target-content-id="http://www.incrediblethings.com/lists/14-bizarre-japanese-toys/" data-vars-target-content-type="url" data-vars-type="web_external_link" data-vars-subunit-name="before_you_go_slideshow" data-vars-subunit-type="component" data-vars-position-in-subunit="0" data-vars-position-in-unit="0">incrediblethings.com</a>)
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