japan's fruity bus stops

You know that vacant, vaguely cranky face that seems to instantly slip onto your face the minute you plop down at a bus stop? We hazard a guess that wouldn't exist for the public transport travellers in Konagai, Japan. After all, how could anyone look anything but utterly thrilled while waiting patiently inside a giant apple, rock melon or pear?

Sixteen of these oversized fruity havens are scattered around the southern city, giving locals a cheer-inspiring spot to await their ride. They were originally built way back in 1990 to jazz up the town for a travel expo, but when missing your bus can be transformed into a kooky photo op, why on earth would you want to let that go? In fact, we're all for making them a compulsory part of the country's public transport system. Check out more of the fruit-themed shelters here.