HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A visitor walks next to a monster named "Kappa" while she is visiting Japan's Monster Town Fukusaki on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Visitors walk next to monsters named "Kappa" sitting on a cart in Japan's Monster Town Fukusaki on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A monster named "Umibouzu" sits on a bench outside the shop at Japan's Monster Town Fukusak on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A monster named "Nekomata" sits on a bench outside the restaurant at Japan's Monster Town Fukusak on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A monster named "Demon" sits on a bench outside the restaurant at Japan's Monster Town Fukusak on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A monster named "Sunakake-baba" sits on a bench at Japan's Monster Town Fukusaki on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: A monster named "Kappa" sitting on a bench outside the souvenir shop at Japan's Monster Town on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)

HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Monsters named "Kappa" sitting on a cart outside the souvenir shop at Japan's Monster Town on September 23, 2026 in Himeji, Japan. Japan's small town named Fukusaki has installed statues of whimsical and spooky monsters and mythical creatures from Japanese folklore in various locations to attract tourists. These statues have been placed along streets, stand outside the local shops, appear in a park and in a pond, successfully drawing visitors to the small town. The local administration aims to boost the area's businesses and economy by leveraging these legendary creatures. The town is the birthplace of Kunio Yanagita, who is considered the father of Japanese folklore studies. (Photo by Buddhika Weerasinghe/Getty Images)