These earthquake-resistant dome houses in Japan are drawing visitors from across Asia

Light as foam

Situated next to a volcano in southern Japan, 450 earthquake-resistant dome houses, put up by a health resort and decorated with flowers and dinosaurs are drawing visitors from across Asia.

A dozen polystyrene foam pieces, each so light that two adults can pick it up, are glued together to make the houses.

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Inspired by Japanese sweets

A girl from Singapore jumps on the bed at a quake-resistant dome house. The head of Aso Farm Land resort, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, designed the dome-shaped cabins after being inspired by his work in the Japanese sweets industry.

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Confection shaped rooms

One day, Kitagawa thought it would be interesting to put people inside "manju" - traditional Japanese sweets that are round and filled with red bean paste - and decided to make rooms shaped like the confection.

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Super-strong earthquake resistance

Constructed with light materials, the domes withstood last year's deadly earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture, not even a single glass panel was broken.

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Decorated with Kumamon bears

The exterior and interiors of these quake-resistant houses are adorned with Japan's popular 'Kumamon' bear character.

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Beamless houses

Wind and earthquakes do not easily damage the dome houses because they have no beams that can be broken.

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Tourists' favourite

Tourists walk through Japan's quake-resistant houses.

The colorful result has proven alluring for many looking for a quirky family holiday, especially the domes adorned inside and out with images of Japan's popular "Kumamon" bear character, mascot of the Kumamoto region.