When you think of Japan, your mind probably races to neon-lit cities, cherry blossoms, ancient shrines, or sushi masterpieces. But what if we told you Japan also has a desert? And not just any desert—a place where mirages shimmer across golden dunes like something out of Arabian Nights?

If ever there was a city having an identity crisis—in the best possible way—it’s Calgary. One part slick and modern metropolis, one part dusty rodeo town, Calgary is where cowboy hats meet coffee shops, and glass skyscrapers rise over bucking broncos. Nestled between prairie and peaks in southern Alberta, it’s a city that doesn’t just surprise you—it throws you right into the ring.