The Playground Octupi of Japan

Apparently, Japan is populated by giant cephalapods generously lending their tentacles as playground slides.

Interesting demonstration of how culture influences form even on the playground; you wouldn't expect to find these in the West and they might even scare some children!

Mostly constructed by a single company, Maeda Environmental Art Co, Ltd, whose page, unfortunately, I can't read.

These images via

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2007/07/photos-of-cephalopodian-playscapes/

Many, many more photos at

and http://www1.raidway.ne.jp/~iharay/suberidai/tako.htm

and http://doneslide.fc2web.com/slideTop.html (click on the pink characters)

Surreal.