On the face of it these buildings might not be essential stops on any tour of Japan but if you happen to be in the vicinity then they are well worth a quick detour. The majority of this post will be about the first one as that was new to me whereas the other two have featured on Tokyo Fox before and are basically bonus extras deserving of (more) recognition again. The three unique buildings that I’ve come face to face with are as follows…

1. Sharekobe Museum, Hyogo Prefecture – Getting to see the inside of this skull museum, which opened in 2011, is actually quite limited as it is only open on Sundays. However, it is still worth going to take a look at just the outside if you’re in Hyogo or Osaka.

The front facade is fairly normal looking if you can consider a big skull atop a sign normal! However, if you walk round the back of this three-storey building then you’ll be greeted by the sight of a face. It was built to display owner Keiji Kawamoto’s collection of around 8000 pieces which he’s been accumulating since he went on a trip to San Francisco in 1986. He believes that there’s a deep world within skulls and they can explain cultural anthropological perspectives.

Skulls may often be seen as creepy but there’s nothing too frightening about the rather sad-looking expression cleverly created on the building’s rear. The name Sharekoube comes from exposed head which would mean you can see the skull. That’s my interpretation anyway!

I have seen the inside of the museum in print and online, and it sure does like quite fascinating. I will have to plan better next time so that my time in the area coincides with it being open to the public.

• The Skull Museum is located at 5-49 Hamadacho, Amagasaki, Hyogo-ken. It is open on Sundays only from 10:00 am till 5:00 pm. Entrance is 1000 yen for adults and 500 yen for children.

2. Creative Studio & Shop 000, Kyoto Prefecture – The expressionless face of Shokupanman (a Japanese superhero character) is something of a hidden tourist attraction located 3.5 kilometres directly north of Kyoto station.

It is a three storey studio property with an entrance at the mouth and windows representing both eyes. This kitsch design was built in 1974.

3. Former Minesaki Clinic, Shizuoka Prefecture – The layout concept of the former Minesaki Clinic was designed by Yoji Watanabe who is famed for his unique architecture. It is supposedly based on part of a dragon face with the eyes and mouth represented by windows!

The clinic was completed in 1968 and is known locally as Monster Hospital. The design was reported to have been inspired by Gunkanjima (Battleship Island) and was abandoned for many years but now it now looks like someone’s home so one should respect the privacy of the residents if going to see this spook-tacular building. More details here.

Click here to read ‘The Former Hospital Which Is Shaped Like A Monster’

Click here to read ‘A Turtle-y Awesome Looking Station In Okayama Prefecture’ 

Click here to read ‘These Train Stations Have To Be Some Of The Most Interesting Looking Ones In All Of Japan’

Click here to read ‘This Family-Owned Milk Carton Building Is Udderly Brilliant’