Most Outrageous Pastimes Across the Globe

Go off the beaten path to find out what makes these amazing cultures unique. From a Naked Man Festival in Japan to an Ice Marathon in Russia, these are things you will find in only 1 place on Earth.

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Only Happens in Alaska

What an adorable little mosquito! I wonder what it’s made of. Wait, what? It’s made of poop?! Yep. Believe it or not, this creative little creature is made of repurposed moose droppings. In Alaska, artists will use anything they can find to make their art — and we do mean anything.

Only Happens in Alaska

But you can’t just pick up poop and pop out art. Artists carefully coat each piece of moose poop with polyurethane so that it can be transformed into Christmas ornaments, knickknacks and even jewelry. Haven’t you always wanted moose-poop earrings?

Only Happens in Alaska

In some of the more remote stretches of Alaska, women can be hard to come by. The frontier life simply isn’t for everyone. But the men of Talkeetna, AK, have come up with a solution to attract the opposite sex to their small town. Welcome to the Wilderness Woman Contest. Every year, hundreds of bachelorettes from all over the state flock to Talkeetna to partake in this tongue-in-cheek competition to separate the girls from the women. Events consist of such tasks as fetching water from a stream (pictured), snagging a salmon and shooting a latex ptarmigan (similar to a pigeon). While the prizes vary from year to year, all competitors leave as winners.

Only Happens in Alaska

Alaskans pride themselves on their ability to get the most out of anything. So when they’re presented with an old WWII bunker, they don’t see ruins — they see potential for new house! A couple in Kodiak renovated this old bunker and even added an entire third floor, creating one of the more secure and unique living quarters in the world. And you simply cannot beat the 360-degree view of the Alaskan wilderness.

Only Happens in Japan

This hallway resembling a beehive is in one of many Japanese hotels focused on pleasing the traveler who’s always on the move. These small pods offer customers the bare essentials: a bed, a pillow and a place to recharge their phones and bodies. There’s not even a door, just a simple curtain to give each guest some privacy. The rooms are booked in 9-hour increments — just enough time to get a good night’s sleep before continuing on your trip.

Only Happens in Japan

At most restaurants, the first thing the staff hands guests is a fork, but not at Zauo Restaurant in Tokyo. Guests are greeted with a fishing pole and a net. If you want to eat here, you’ll have to earn it first. Catch your dinner fresh from the restaurant’s aquariums. Then, bring it over to the chef and watch as he prepares your meal. The experience is unique to Japan and definitely brings a whole new meaning to “catch of the day.”

Only Happens in Japan

Perhaps no country in the world holds on to traditions the way Japan does. From daily rituals to annual festivals dating back centuries, tradition is found everywhere. One example is the Hadaka Matsuri — the Naked Man Festival. Thousands of men from all over the country come together each year to participate in the annual event in hopes of gaining luck for the new year. Men are broken up into teams as they parade around in nothing but a Japanese loincloth, called a fundoshi, before entering the temple gates. Once inside, the men stand shoulder to shoulder and wait for 3 sacred bamboo sticks to be tossed into the crowd. If you are lucky enough to get your hands on one of these sticks, and subsequently be escorted out of the naked mob by teammates, you are granted good luck for a year.

Only Happens in Japan

These ornately designed dekotora trucks line up to show off their beauty. The stylized trucks are unique to Japan and can often be seen at car shows and special events, or even on the road as work trucks. Owners do everything and anything to dress up and trick out their trucks with neon lights and extravagant additions. The end result is something you’d be more likely to see in a Mad Max sequel than on the open highway.

Only Happens in Russia

Russia features some of the most notoriously brutal winters in the world. And none are more brutal than those in Siberia. Winter here can last up to 9 months, and when spring comes, it’s time to celebrate. This fiery party is the symbolic “burning of winter” at the Maslenitsa festival near Lake Baikal. The weeklong festival coincides with the start of Great Lent (similar to Lent) and is a celebration of religion, culture and food. If you plan on making the trip, come hungry! The festival is known for serving up some of the best and biggest pancakes around.

Only Happens in Russia

It takes a special kind of person to run a marathon. It takes a really special person to run those 26.2 miles over a frozen lake. But that’s precisely what happens every year at the Baikal Ice Marathon. Runners from around the globe come to Siberia to partake in this truly unique and challenging race, which takes place on the frozen ice of Lake Baikal.

Only Happens in Russia

Some people like a cup of coffee to start their day. Russians prefer being whipped by tree branches in the sweltering heat of a bathhouse called a banya. But what if you can’t get to a banya? No worries. In Russia, it’ll come to you! This old military truck is exactly what the cartoon painted on the outside looks like — a mobile banya.

Only Happens in Dubai

Nothing says luxury more than gold. And what better way to show off your bankroll and status than with a gold-leaf facial? At the Raffles Spa in Dubai, you can get just that. Sit back, relax, and before you know it, your face will be covered in 24-karat gold leaf. The treatment, unique to Dubai, is supposed to rejuvenate your skin and deliver a fresh and glowing complexion.

Only Happens in Dubai

Police car chases have often been a thing of intrigue. There have been TV shows created solely dedicated to them, in fact. And no matter how boring they may appear, somehow, you just can’t take your eyes off them. So just think how amazing they would be if the police officers were driving McLaren’s and Audi’s. Now THAT is exciting! They even have a Bugatti worth $2.2 million! Only in Dubai will you find an entire police force outfitted with racetrack-quality vehicles to chase down the bad guys.

Only Happens in Dubai

What’s the first thing you think about when you hear Dubai? The sweltering heat? The lavish city and surrounding resorts? No, you think of shredding some powder at the most unique ski resort you’ve ever seen, right? Well, maybe you should. Because right in the middle of the city of Dubai is the completely man-made, snow-pumping Ski Dubai, where snowboarders and skiers alike can come to get their winter-sports fix.

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Most Outrageous Pastimes Across the Globe

Related To:

Shop This Look

Only Happens in Alaska

Only Happens in Alaska

Only Happens in Alaska

Only Happens in Alaska

Only Happens in Japan

Only Happens in Japan

Only Happens in Japan

Only Happens in Japan

Only Happens in Russia

Only Happens in Russia

Only Happens in Russia

Only Happens in Dubai

Only Happens in Dubai

Only Happens in Dubai