Located in the basement of More’s Department Store in Kawasaki, Japan is the world’s shortest escalator. With only 5 steps, the escalator has a modest rise of 32.8 inches (83.4 cm). It was recognized as the world’s shortest escalator by the Guinness Book of Records back in 1989 so it’s possible a shorter, even more useless escalator exists…

To further add to its futility, it goes down not up, and there’s still another set of stairs you have to descent immediately afterwards! Only in Japan…

Be sure to check out Tokyo Escalator for more interesting escalator designs around Japan.