Japan’s famous for a lot of things. However, if we were to pinpoint two specific things that set it apart on the world map, it would definitely be its culture and its technology. We’re not playing when we say that Japan’s innovation game is extremely strong, and here’s our proof.
A vending machine for everything
You’ve probably heard that Japan’s got a bunch of vending machines, but did you know that there is 1 vending machine for every 23 people in there? You’re more likely to run into a lone vending machine than actual people in remote locations.
Now for a country that has over 5 million vending machines, you can’t expect each of them to have the same ol’ drinks and hot coffee, can you? Well, vending machines in Japan sell everything from ramen to pizza, and even some novelty items, including bee larva.
Beginnings of cyborg invasions
Okay, we’re not serious, but this look could totally give robot invasion vibes if it were to become mainstream in the future. Nonetheless, it’s going to be one helpful trend. That’s because these robotic-looking things are actually wearable suits that serve a purpose.
Also known as exoskeletons, these suits are basically a durable and protective shell that you can wear while you’re doing some heavy lifting. The exoskeleton helps distribute the weight of the object evenly and also gives your body more strength so that you can lift the object easily.
Geometrical pet grooming
If your pet’s a fluffy little furball, the possibilities of how you could get its fur groomed are endless. Of course, you wouldn’t want to trim its fur in a way that makes life difficult for it, but hey, an unusual fur-do is worth a shot.
Japan’s one country that’s quick to understand the endless possibilities of funky-looking pets, and so, they came up with this idea. Want your pet’s face to look like it’s a cube? No problem, you got it! The doggie doesn’t look too happy though…
Can opening - the right way
If you like having your soft drinks on the go, you’re probably familiar with juice cans - and how much of a hassle it is to open them. To get your finger underneath the ring tab and pull it precisely is a whole different struggle when all you want is some thirst-quenching.
In Japan, even a teensy problem like this isn’t ignored. If you head to a vending machine there and get a drink out of it, you’d be pleasantly surprised because the can has a little recess near the tab.
Fix a wonky nose at home
We’ve all done the nose pinching thing to get our noses to look just a little bit straighter than it already is. Of course, we should all be happy with the face that’s been given to us. But some harmless tweaking at home doesn’t sound too shabby, especially if it makes us feel pretty.
With the nose straightener, you don’t need to worry about pinching your nose anymore. Just pop this thing on while you go about your day and it will gradually do the straightening job for you.
A cat person’s dream outfit
If you’ve got to go out wearing a mask, you’d rather do it in style. And moreover, all those normal blue masks do is ruin a perfectly chic outfit. You know what won’t ruin your outfit though? A hyper-realistic cat mask.
There couldn’t be anything more perfect than this little addition to a cat lover’s fit. And you could one-up this by actually heading out with your cat while wearing this. You could even try commissioning a small business to get a mask with your cat’s face on it!
Say goodbye to noisy conventional fans
One aspect about summers that’s rarely spoken of is bidding adieu to complete silence - you can’t really have it with that fan whirring away over your head. Thankfully, Toshiba found a solution for this problem way back in 1981 when they developed the patent for a bladeless fan.
Okay, bladeless fans aren’t exactly bladeless - they have blades hidden conveniently in their base. But the point remains that these fans make infinitely lesser noise than conventional fans and are energy-efficient too, and you’re guaranteed to have a cool and noise-free summer.
Your fridge walks over to you
Ever got home so tired you didn’t even have the energy to walk to the fridge and grab yourself something to eat and drink? Well, you don’t have to worry about that in Japan, because your fridge will walk over to you instead.
These new Panasonic refrigerators are programmed to respond to your voice. If you call them, they’re going to walk to you no matter where you are inside the house. They also tell you when you’re running out of groceries, so that’s pretty nifty too!
Karaoke party at home
The selling point of karaokes is that they’re sound-proof, so even those who can’t really catch the right pitch can express their love for music in those little boxes. Japan brings the karaoke party inside your house with the silent karaoke machine.
How this machine works is simple - the earphones play the music into your ears and you can belt those high notes into the funnel that catches your voice and stops it from getting dispersed. You can get away with a long singing session without anyone catching your breath.
Headrest for every desk
If you have a job that involves sitting in front of a screen for hours, maybe you’d like to lay low for a quick second and check your phone without having to worry about your posture.
But leaning to one side while you’re working on a desk sounds uncomfortable, which is why this little hand contraption is so, well, handy! You can attach it to your workspace and lean your head against it as you scroll - it’s going to be super comfy, and you’ll probably avoid some painful neck aches.
A portable washer
If you live in a tiny house and don’t have the time to do your laundry by hand, you’re probably in a fix. That’s because most conventional washing machines are really large and will occupy most of your living space.
There has been a housing problem in Japan since forever and people have to survive in really crammed places, which is why the mini washing machine is so handy. The washing machine is also USB powered, so you can get your laundry done right beside your desk as you work.
An added twist to plain umbrellas
Rains in Japan can get really absurd, and it often starts pouring out of the blue. Unannounced storms are also a pretty common occurrence since the country is surrounded by the sea on all sides. Thus, people carry umbrellas around regardless of the weather.
Seeing the plain black plastic umbrellas can get pretty boring, so artists came up with these funky color-changing umbrellas. Not only do they change colors when water hits them, but some umbrellas even reveal hidden patterns on them, like the one pictured here!
Get rid of stress on the go
In a country like Japan that’s always awake, people work long shifts and deal with long train/bike rides to get home. They’re generally always just huddling along to keep the economy going, it’s an understatement to say that the people have a lot of pent-up stress.
These push-pop bubble toys have been all over social media lately, but Japan has mini keyring versions of these so that people can calm their nerves on the go. Popping and pushing the bubbles is simply satisfying and helps clear your head.
Umbrella thieves, back off!
If you’re tired of umbrella thieves, you’re not alone. We’ve all had that one favorite umbrella we left outside a store on a rainy day stolen off by a petty umbrella thief. In a humid country like Japan, people need to carry their umbrellas around all the time, and losing one will be a major inconvenience.
That’s why almost every establishment in Japan has umbrella locks. Once you leave your umbrella in one of these, you can go about your day peacefully knowing nobody can get it out of there.
Cool your ramen as you’re eating it
Ramen is best eaten hot, but a lot of us with burnt mouths and tongues won’t really agree with that. The boiling broth takes a really long time to cool down, and when you’re hungry, you don’t have the time to cool it down. If you’re eating with other people, that may even be considered rude.
These chopsticks come with a fan attached to them. They cool the ramen down as you pick it up, so you don’t need to worry about looking funny while trying to cool your ramen.
That’s a lit toilet
Ever gotten up for a toilet break in the middle of the night and then stayed up the whole night after that? This happens because when you switch the lights on, they shock you and you’re unable to convince your brain that it’s bedtime after that. The result? You wake up groggy and sleep-deprived.
The lighted toilet comes with in-built lighting that switches itself on when you lift up the toilet seat. That way, you can relieve yourself even in your groggy state without having to wake up fully.
No more butter blobs
Butter on toast sounds like a quick and tasty breakfast option when you’re in a rush. A thin layer of butter spread evenly on the crispy toast gives your tummy the rumbles, but a cold hard blob certainly doesn’t. Unfortunately, that’s the reality of most morning toasts since butter straight out of the fridge won’t budge under the knife.
But what if the butter was grated on top? The butter grater won’t just make your morning toasts extra delicious, but also help you get a picture-perfect breakfast spread, too.
Film and record at the same time
If you’re trying to become an influencer or streamer, you’re probably familiar with the struggles of getting your voice heard while you’re struggling to film. And don’t let us get started on the audio quality of phone cameras.
The microphone cum selfie stick is probably the only gadget a streamer needs to get filming. Engineered to fit a selfie stick and a microphone into one device, you’ll be able to capture sounds or narrate in real-time. Filming and editing will be a breeze with this one.
Helmet hair out of the hole
Helmet hair is every girl’s nightmare, especially on days when you think your hair actually looks cute. And if you’re wearing a braid or a ponytail, the helmet ends up causing a headache. Thankfully, helmet designers in Japan paid attention to the ladies’ complaints and designed this piece for fabulous hair days.
These helmets have a tiny hole on them that you can use to get your hair out of the helmet. Don’t get worked up though, it isn’t big enough to put you at a risk for accidents!
A hands-free umbrella for busy days
When you’re juggling things around while holding an umbrella at the same time, things can get difficult and the umbrella stops serving its purpose at some point. Maybe you get so busy ensuring that your baggage doesn’t get wet that you forget about your clothes and get drenched.
The hat umbrella prevents this by covering your head like a hat and forming a protective roof over your clothes. It’s also hands-free, so you can manage your baggage easily and prevent it from getting wet without having to worry about yourself.
Stay the night in a capsule hotel
Capsule hotels have taken some rounds online several times, so we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve seen them before. These tiny hotel rooms are actually very clean and comfy, so if you visit Japan, spending the night in one is a must!
Capsule hotels have a common dining area, lounge, and bathrooms, and some even have free footbaths! They’re almost always located close to train stations too. These are great budget options for regulars who need a great yet affordable place and are a whole cultural phenomenon for travelers too.
Fish-shaped ice cream cones
If you’ve been surrounded by any form of Japanese media, one thing that you’ve probably come across at least once is a pancake that looks like a fish. These pancakes are called taiyaki and are a very popular Japanese street snack.
Japan’s ever-evolving and so are its snacks, but they always have the classical touch to them. And therefore, we have these beauties - taiyaki ice-cream cones. Taiyakis are generally filled with red bean paste or other sweet fillings, so this is a wonderful twist to the traditional snack!
Scramble zebra crossings
It’s all about saving time in Japan. That’s precisely why there are so many scramble crossings all over the country at intersections - so that people can get to whichever street they want without having to waste any time.
The Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo is a sight to see, and you can catch an amazing view of this masterpiece of an intersection from Mag’s Park located nearby. Called the busiest street in the world, the flood of pedestrians that emerges right after the light turns red is an incredible view.
At-home toe massage
Japan is an economy that sustains itself on the backs of office workers always dressed up in their business suits. In culture where everyone is expected to spend the day working hard, your feet are bound to get really tired. And you’re wearing your shoes, so that keeps your toes scrunched up all day.
Stretching your toes at the end of the day keeps them in good shape, but son, Japan has a toe stretcher. Popping this thing on will soothe your feet - it’s like a little toe massage!
The holy grail of parking technologies
As the most populated city in the world, Tokyo’s a frontrunner when it comes to conserving space. There’s a reason why millions of people are able to migrate to the city and make a living there each year.
Parking is a bit of a nightmare there, as one can expect, so people avoid cars altogether. Thankfully, these multi-level parking lots have been created to hold multiple cars in one spot. The cars are parked on steel pellets that can be moved up and down to create space for new cars.
Don’t forget to carry an umbrella
Most people in Japan live in high-rise condos that block external noises. While you’re going about the day, you barely find the time to look outside the window. Because of this, it’s pretty natural to miss out on rains or other worrisome weather conditions.
Inventors in Japan understand this, which is why elevators in Japan come with rain warnings. The umbrella button turns on when it starts raining to remind residents to carry an umbrella while heading outside. Some elevators even give weather warnings ahead of time through forecasts!
And the award for cleanliness goes to...
Who said that the toddlers of the house can’t lend a hand in the chores? It definitely was big brain time for the designers of this onesie when they came up with this mop+onesie. Not only is it absolutely adorable, but when your kid turns into a wrecking ball rolling around the house, it’s going to help clean the floor too!
Be sure that you don’t leave your kind in this onesie for too long though. The dust and dirt might give your child an infection.
Esports injuries? What’s that?
When you’re deep into the game, you don’t even realize when your back hunches over and you’re practically crouching while flailing the console. Taking care of your posture during an intense gaming session is a struggle, and you’re guaranteed wrist pain and backaches once you’re done.
This gaming seat prevents you from crouching too low and also has a resting area for your hands. You can even push the armrest backward to create a comfy seat for yourself to lean back and watch TV.
A hearing aid for your side
On a lazy Sunday afternoon, all you want to do is lay low and watch your favorite movie as the last rays of the sun warm you up. There’s just something so comfy about resting on your sides, but unfortunately, the super comfortable position doesn’t come with awesome sound quality.
Laying on your side blocks one side of your hearing, so enjoying your movie becomes pretty tiring. This cushion solves the problem by catching the TV’s sound through the holes on its surface and transferring it to your ear.
An umbrella in your suit
A Japanese salaryman’s struggle with ties and umbrellas is never-ending. If he is one of those men who simply cannot tie a tie even if his life were to depend on it, his mornings will involve lapping around the member of his house who knows how to do it.
Then it comes to the unpredictable Japanese rains and the saga of forgetting his umbrella. This tie+umbrella solves both these problems. The ready-to-wear tie makes dressing up a breeze, and the umbrella’s right on you when you need it.
Fridge-friendly watermelons
Watermelons are a necessity in Japan during the summers, so you can expect every household to hoard at least a few during the onset of summer. The problem with watermelons though, is that they take up a lot of space since they’re spherical and are difficult to store.
Horticulturists have found a way to solve this problem by growing watermelons in square molds. The melons come out in the shape of cubes and are easier to store in the refrigerator. They’re also easier to slice and taste like normal watermelons.
Can there be enough cans
Canned goods are perfect for snacking on the go, and luckily, that’s the Japanese lifestyle in a nutshell. People like to have their stuff prepared beforehand, and in a state where it can be stored for a considerably long period of time.
Canned goods are a trend in the country that never seems to die down. While they were initially a specialty of vending machines, there are now entire chain stores only selling canned goods. Here, you’d find everything from canned beans to exotic foods, sweets, bread, and much more.
What’s happening on the other side
While poking your nose or ears into someone else’s business is rude, it’s undeniable that the neighbor’s shack always has some hot tea to spill. And missing that tea party would be a shame. And at times, you really need to eavesdrop on a conversation for ethical reasons.
These hearing enhancers may look ridiculous, but they do work like a charm. Putting these on and sitting still is going to help you catch onto the right noises, and if you’re hard of hearing, they might be exactly what you need.
When you’re pretending to read
When you’re into academics, reading is a part of the job, and you have to read a whole lot. While there are certainly many of those out there who enjoy reading anything and everything, reading can definitely get tiring at times.
Nothing works better than a quick nap in between a reading session. And to make it comfy, you can carry around this pillow disguised as a book! No one’s going to judge you while you head to the library with a pillow, and the case looks pretty cute too!
Clean(ing) shoes
Isn’t it frustrating when you’re walking around and spot some dust around, but can’t clean it because the broom’s too far away? Now, you’ve got the broom attached to your shoes, so you can keep your surroundings clean no matter where you are. Talk about practicality, this design’s hit it out the park.
And what’s even better is that these shoes look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale. Live out your Cinderella dreams (as long as your dream was cleaning the house and keeping it spotless, of course).
Make use of the long train ride
It’s common for a normal Japanese office worker to be sleep-deprived. People are constantly juggling between different jobs and responsibilities, all trying to make a name for themselves. Sleep becomes secondary.
Another common thing in Japan though, are long commute times. Since these stolen pockets of time are perfect for catching a quick nap, these sleeping tools are perfect for those times when you need a nap while standing on the train. It supports your neck so that you don’t end up injuring it and prevents neckaches and cramps.
A child seat in toilets
Raising a child in Japan can be pretty difficult. Of course, doing the regular household chores is a part of the ordeal, but the real troubles begin when you step out with your baby in hand. Getting nannies or sending your child to kindergarten is a luxury only few can obtain, after all.
To ease the burdens of parents, Japanese restrooms have child seats in them. You can place your child in them while you relieve ourself so that you can keep an eye on them at all times.
A clever name for a clever accessory
You’ve probably headed out wearing a flashy pair of sunglasses on a hot summer day before, but have you ever thought of your pets while doing it? Don’t you think they feel hot too?
Okay, we’re not trying to make you look like a meanie. Our point is, pets need protection from the sun too. And that’s where these cute Doggles come in. With that clever name, these Doggles will protect your dog’s eyes from the heat, and make him took like the styling goodest boy that he is.
Smart glasses to keep you updated
When you’ve got your hands full, getting your phone out or even looking at the time can feel like a hassle. Imagine carrying groceries around and you suddenly feel your phone vibrating in your pocket - it’s unnerving. As a means of saving time, therefore, engineers developed smart glasses.
These glasses are connected to your smartphone and display the time, temperature, weather forecast, and also your phone’s notifications on the lens as if it were a screen. They’re also customizable, so you can change the settings to only get certain notifications.
Jurassic Service
Hotels in Japan are nothing short of tourist attractions. You have everything starting from the whimsical yet practical capsule hotels, to some interesting hotels themed after fictional characters. In this mix, we add The Weird Hotel.
The hotel is staffed entirely by robots, and the moment you step in, you’ll be escorted by dinosaurs wearing cute hats! These robotic fellas will do everything for you - and that includes carrying your luggage and showing you to your room. Even the person at the front desk of this hotel is a robot!