A look inside the world’s weirdest museums – from tap water to taxidermy frogs

Ever wondered about the history of China’s tap water, been curious about clowns or yearned to find out more about lawnmowers?

Stacked high, brightly-coloured packets of instant noodles years past their sell-by date are placed on display in this curious corner of the world.

But this is no store cupboard belonging to a broke student or the culinary challenged – it’s one of the world’s weirdest museums.

Located in Yokohama, Japan, the Instant Ramen Museum is one of hundreds of tourist attractions in the world famed for its niche and downright bizarre exhibitions.

From a mine of history on China’s plumbing to a centre dedicated to educating the masses on lawnmowers, we take a look at some of the oddest museums which should be on everybody’s bucket lists. Don’t forget the gift shop on your way out…

Phallological Museum, Iceland

Yes, you read that right. Iceland’s collection of animal penises and phallus memorabilia in its capital Reykjavik is the world’s top spot for learning all about the male reproductive organ.

Make your way through the throngs of sniggering schoolchildren (and adults, let it be said) and peer into the cases containing the penises of more than 200 different species of land and sea mammal.

There are also innumerable items of phallic relics, from penis-shaped phones to furniture. And don’t miss the 5ft 6in sperm whale specimen, sealed behind inches of plexiglass and formaldehyde. Damien Hirst could never.

Beijing Tap Water Museum, China

Quenching the thirst of anyone who loves quirky attractions, this museum in China’s capital turns the tap on the history of bringing clean water into our homes.

Although it may not sound the most riveting of subjects, reviewers gush (no pun intended) about the intrigue of Beijing Tap Water Museum, which charts how modern drinking and sanitation systems have come into place over centuries.

Instant Ramen Museum, Japan

Throw away all your ideas that instant noodles are simply for those who cannot cook. This museum in Yokohama delves into the thousands of types of cup noodles produced through the ages.

Comprising of four main exhibitions, the Ramen Museum is dedicated to creator of the universally-beloved fast food, Momofuko Ando.

There’s also an instant ramen workshop and noodle factory where you can create and construct your own. Pot Noodle eat your heart out.

Froggyland, Croatia

Ever wondered what it would look like watching a formation of frogs in a circus pyramid and strutting their stuff on the tightrope? Nope, us neither.

But wonder no longer. This extremely bizarre exhibition in the Croatian city of Split is a dedication to the life’s work of 19th-century taxidermist Ferenc Mere, who used the creatures to assemble life scenes.

From bucolic countryside scenes of frogs rowing down a stream, to frogs on trial in a criminal court and one poor frog having a root canal in the dentist’s chair – hop on over to this amphibious accumulation and you’ll be left wondering whether you just stepped into a cheese nightmare.

Clown Hall of Fame, United States

Coulrophobics look away now – if Ronald McDonald gave you nightmares as a child you’d be better off giving this bizarre attraction a very wide swerve.

Located in Baraboo, Wisconsin, the attraction is dedicated to famous and not-so-famous mimes and jesters through history and comprises of a detailed history of what many see as a dying profession.

As the saying goes – send in the clowns…

Lawnmower Museum, Southport

Let’s say this Merseyside attraction has a real buzz about it. Southport’s Lawnmower Museum makes the perfect field trip for all those curious about the contraption and its history.

From the world’s first solar-powered mower to one that stands at just 5cm high, the displays teach you all there is to know about the everyday garden tool. And who knew there was so much.

There’s also a royal lawnmower once stored in the shed of none other than Prince Charles and Diana. Round up your dads, the grass really is greener over in this niche and fascinating exhibition.

Mummy Museum, Mexico

Mexico’s morbid and macabre is kept behind glass here in this not-for-the-fainthearted museum in the city of Guanajuato.

The exhibition is not so much a dedication to the history of the mummy, but the city itself which saw thousands of its residents die from a major cholera outbreak in the 1830s.

Bodies were buried hastily to curb the disease’s spread. Decades later, many remains were exhumed after the Government imposed a Draconian tax on anyone upkeeping old graves, the corpses moved to warehouses.

Townspeople were shocked to find many of the bodies had been almost perfectly preserved, which scientists decreed was due to the area’s unique soil composition and high elevation above sea level.

So fascinated were the general public that curiosity was frequently leading to break-ins at the warehouses. To prevent this, the bodies were moved to public display.

Controversial as it is, the museum remains open today for all to see.