Quirky Lounge

Shoji Morimoto: The Man Who Gets Paid to Do Nothing

Shoji Morimoto, once dismissed from his publishing job in Tokyo for being “useless,” transformed that critique into a unique business: renting himself out to “do nothing.” Since 2018, he has offered silent companionship—eating, drinking, or simply being present—for about 10,000 yen per booking. By 2022, he had completed around 4,000 assignments, earning up to $80,000 annually, with some clients hiring him hundreds of times. His service provides relief from Japan’s intense social obligations, allowing people to avoid awkwardness or expectations. Morimoto’s memoir Rental Person Who Does Nothing highlights how his role addresses loneliness and social pressure in modern Japan.

Read more: Historic Bytes - In 2018, Shoji Morimoto was fired from his job at... | Facebook

The Monk Within the Golden Buddha: A 900-Year-Old Mystery

Credit: Timedust | Facebook

Researchers discovered a remarkable secret inside a centuries-old golden Buddha statue: the mummified body of a monk named Liuquan, preserved for nearly 900 years. A CT scan revealed his skeleton seated in lotus position, with organs replaced by paper inscribed with ancient Chinese characters. Experts believe he underwent self-mummification, a grueling process involving years of restrictive diet and consumption of toxic lacquer to prevent decay. After his death, he was encased in the statue and revered as a living Buddha. This extraordinary find highlights the intersection of art, religion, and human devotion, leaving mysteries still to be unraveled.

Read more: Timedust - For nearly a thousand years, people bowed before this... | Facebook

Italy’s Hidden Rules: Costly Mistakes Tourists Must Avoid!

Credit: Italy Travel Tales & Tips

Italy has a number of strict rules that often surprise visitors, and breaking them can lead to expensive fines. These laws are designed to protect cultural heritage, public order, and the environment.

Sitting on the Spanish Steps in Rome has been banned since 2019, with fines up to €400.
Eating or drinking near monuments in Rome, Florence, and Venice can cost €150–€500.
Driving into restricted traffic zones (ZTLs) without authorization may result in fines from €80 to over €1,000.
Collecting sand or shells from Sardinian beaches can incur penalties up to €3,000.
Swimming in prohibited areas like Venice canals or certain lakes may cost as much as €3,500.
Attaching “love padlocks” to bridges can lead to extreme fines, reportedly up to €50,000.
Other infractions include wearing swimwear in towns, using another person’s train ticket, buying counterfeit goods, and flying drones without permits.

Ultimately, these rules highlight Italy’s commitment to preserving its heritage and environment. Tourists who respect local customs not only avoid costly mistakes but also contribute to safeguarding the country’s beauty and traditions for future generations. Read more: I'm Italian. These things are... - Italy Travel Tales & Tips | Facebook

Meet the Lourdes family, Indians who celebrate CNY.

(Credit: Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle)

The Lourdes family, an Indian household in Ampang, has embraced Chinese New Year as a cherished tradition, reflecting Malaysia’s multicultural spirit. Their celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve with a steamboat dinner symbolizing unity, followed by gatherings on the first or second day featuring noodles for longevity, yee sang tossing, and ang pow exchanges. They also observe customs like avoiding sweeping during the festival, and dress in auspicious colors tied to zodiac signs. Though not Chinese, they adopted the practice after their Chinese friends stopped hosting, creating their own family-centered celebration. Their daughters, Alyshia and Alysson, add unique touches by exchanging ang pows with each other and giving them to their parents. Beyond CNY, the family decorates and celebrates Hari Raya, Deepavali, Merdeka, and Christmas—their grandest festivity. For them, these traditions embody respect for all cultures, strengthening family bonds, and affirming a shared Malaysian identity.

Read more: Meet the Lourdes family, Indians who celebrate CNY | FMT

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni Is World’s Largest Mirror Effect, Study Confirms

Credit: Christopher Crouzet, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni is confirmed as the world’s largest natural mirror, but the effect isn’t constant. Researchers analyzed nearly 400,000 satellite radar readings (2016–2024) and did fieldwork in February 2024. The mirror depends on season, rainfall, and surface smoothness. The best reflections occur in the rainy season (late January–early March), when a thin water layer covers the salt crust. Surprisingly, mild winds don’t disrupt the effect because the water is shallow. The study explains why the salt flat sometimes dazzles with perfect reflections and other times looks uneven, combining satellite data with on‑site observations.

This Rare Volcano Spews Blue Lava & Is Becoming A Dark Tourism Hot Spot

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Mount Kawah Ijen in East Java, Indonesia, is famous for its surreal “blue fire,” a phenomenon caused by sulfuric gases combusting at night, creating the illusion of glowing lava. The volcano sits within the Ijen caldera and hosts the world’s most acidic crater lake. Its striking visuals have made it a hotspot for “dark tourism,” attracting travelers fascinated by eerie natural spectacles. Yet, the site is perilous: miners risk their lives extracting sulfur, and tourists face hazardous fumes and unstable terrain. Kawah Ijen embodies both wonder and danger, blending breathtaking beauty with human struggle.

Meant to burn for few days but ‘Door to Hell’ has blazed for over 50 years — The mystery of Darvaza Gas Crater

Credit: Canva

The Darvaza gas crater in Turkmenistan, famously called the “Door to Hell,” was ignited in 1971 after a Soviet drilling accident released methane. Geologists set the gas alight, expecting it to burn for only a few days, but underground reserves kept the flames alive for over 50 years. Measuring 70 meters wide and 30 meters deep, the fiery pit became a surreal tourist attraction in the Karakum Desert. Recent reports suggest the blaze is weakening as containment efforts progress, though its longevity remains a striking reminder of human miscalculation and nature’s persistence.

Read more: Meant to burn for few days but ‘Door to Hell’ has blazed for over 50 years — The mystery of Darvaza Gas Crater

This Hotel Is Built Entirely From Salt

Credit: Pedro Rocha/Solent News

The Palacio de Sal in Bolivia is the world’s first hotel built entirely from salt, located on the vast Salar de Uyuni salt flats. Constructed in the mid‑1990s from over one million salt blocks, its walls, floors, furniture, and even golf course are made of salt. Despite its fragile architecture requiring repairs after rain, the hotel offers modern amenities including saunas and saltwater baths. Strict rules forbid guests from licking the walls. With 30 rooms accommodating up to 48 people, the hotel remains a unique attraction, blending novelty with comfort and drawing visitors worldwide.

Read more: The hotel is built entirely from salt