From cabbages to katanas – five awesome umbrellas from Japan!

John Stuart Translations

Jun 14, 2013

Most people prefer to open their curtains in the morning to find bright, clear skies waiting for them, but with the arrival of the rainy season (known as 梅雨 tsuyu, and written with the characters for “plum” and “rain”) here in Japan we‘ve got a long stretch of wet weather ahead. If that has you down, perhaps channeling your inner superhero when you wake up in the morning and stepping out with this ninja sword umbrella will brighten your day. And if fantasizing about slashing enemy combatants isn’t your thing, maybe the romaine lettuce-inspired Vegetabrella from Tokyo Noble is what you need to put a smile on your face.

Take a look at these five rainy day inspirations helping ensure Japan stays dry during drizzling days of June.

Feeling feisty? Then the Umbrella Samura from Kikkerland Japan is just your ticket. Keep ‘em guessing on your morning walk to the station with this ninja-inspired creation.

Anyone who has travelled to Japan is familiar with the ever-so-real-yet-fake plastic food samples displayed in front of restaurants. Well, that fake food now comes in umbrella form as well. Complete with a “lettuce leaf carry bag,” the Vegetabrella from Tokyo Noble is a must-have for any serious lettuce lover or green aficionado.

Umbrella in a bottle: twist, pull, extend, open, happy! Enough said. This little number manufactured by NOL Corporation is available in eight different colors and is yours for a mere 1,380 yen (about US$14.5).

For you multitaskers who can’t afford to spare a hand for something as trivial as an umbrella, don’t fret. Motto-Zutto offers a shoulder-hugging, hands-free parasol so you’ll never have to worry about being encumbered by such insignificance again. Just pray a strong wind doesn’t carry you off!