HIMEJI, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 23: Visitors enjoy the monster named "Kappa" appearing from the water of a pond in Tsujikawayama Park 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: Two children walk next to a monster named "The wife who does not eat" sitting on a bench outside the souvenir shop 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: Visitors walk next to a monster named "The wife who does not eat" sitting on a bench outside the souvenir shop 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 "Aburobo" sits on a bench outside the Yakiniku restaurant 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: Visitors look at a monster named "Youkai" known as Tengu flying in the sky come out from a shed in Tsujikawayama Park 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: Children take photographs of a monster named "One-eyed boy spirit" sitting on a bench outside the shop 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 "Ittan-momen" sits on a bench outside the Family Mart convenience store 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: Visitors look at a monster named "Youkai" known as Tengu flying in the sky come out from a shed in Tsujikawayama Park 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)