
The picture above looks like it could have been taken at the set of a cute children’s fantasy movie. Or perhaps a theme park. If not those, then maybe a really expensive themed restaurant. In fact, none of those would be correct. These are apartments in Japan. Yes, you can live in them.
Join us after the jump for a beautiful collection of fairy tale-like houses and cafes to delight your inner child.



This apartment district which resembles a Halloween town is actually a very regular residential street in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Imagine being able to live in the world of Harry Potter every day! However, this amazingly surreal architecture is only the tip of the iceberg as we encounter more magical places in Japan.
▼ Temari no Uchi, a cat cafe in Kichioji, Tokyo
▼ The cat cafe looks like it came right out of a Ghibli movie
▼ And there are cute cats awaiting!
▼ In Yamanashi Prefecture, there is Mori no Arum, a restaurant near Lake Yamanaka
▼ If this doesn’t spell ‘Moominvalley’ I don’t know what does
▼ Meanwhile in Sumida, Tokyo, there’s a secret hideout from the hustle and bustle
▼ As its name implies, Spice Cafe looks like a cross between a forest and a herb garden
▼ The last on our list is Cafe Moruzo in Kochi Prefecture
▼ The wooden exterior gives the cafe a natural atmosphere
▼ The soft, pastel countryside-themed interior makes this a perfect getaway
This is definitely going to be one of my checklists when I visit Japan. I can imagine one spending an entire day in one of these places, just taking in the therapeutic ambiance artfully created by the architecture and interior design. Japan is indeed the land of magic and dreams!
Source/Images: Naver Matome
Featured image: Twinavi










Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 2]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Sega’s been hiding a snarky message on its arcade bags for two years but no one noticed until now
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Highest Starbucks in Japan set to open this spring in the Tokyo sky
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Tokyo Skytree turns pink for the cherry blossom season
Yakuzen ramen restaurant in Tokyo is very different to a yakuza ramen restaurant
Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Gate and Yamanote Line stairway locations change next month
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino and cherry blossom drinks to the menu
Japan Extreme Budget Travel! A trip from Tokyo to Izumo for just 30,000 yen [Part 1]
Japan’s new “Cunte” contact lenses aren’t pronounced like you’re probably thinking they are
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Drift ice in Japan is a disappearing winter miracle you need to see now
Nephew receives SD card after his uncle passes away, finds treasure trove of gems from the past
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Sega’s been hiding a snarky message on its arcade bags for two years but no one noticed until now
Nakano Broadway sells a fukubukuro lucky bag for foreigners, but is it a good deal or a scam?
Tokyo street sweets: The must-snack treats of Nakano’s Refutei
Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Tokyo travel hack: How to enjoy a free sightseeing boat tour around Tokyo Bay
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 strangest kanji ever 【Weird Top Five】
Japanese drugstore sells onigiri at pre-stupid era prices, but how do they compare to 7-Eleven?