
It’s the dog days of summer and your poor little poochie is sprawled out on the hardwood floor, trying to suck up as much coolness as possible. She’s looking up at you with those pleading, puppy dog eyes, hoping for some sort of relief from the heat because you’re too cheap to turn on the air conditioner. Sure, humans have handheld fans, fancy cooling sprays, and delicious ice cream, but what does Fido get? If you’re in Japan and have enough extra cash, your dog could be chilling out this summer in its own personal air conditioner box.
Officially marketed as a “heating and cooling dog house,” this dog torture chamber box was invented by the folks at MRT, a company based in Japan that produces sensors and measuring instruments. It measures 430x430x470mm (17x17x18.5in) and comes in three colors: wood, pastel pink, or pastel blue. The internal temperature of the dog house can be raised and lowered between 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) and 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). Wait a tick…40 degrees Celsius?! With the front door latched shut, your poor pet is liable to start cooking…
Of course MRT doesn’t discriminate; the company suggests stuffing your cat, rabbit, or ferret in their boxes as well. If you love your animal 49,800 yen (US$515) worth (that’s the price of this crazy machine), then order yours on their official website. Energy consumption is estimated to cost only 750 to 1,000 yen (US$7.50 to $10) a month…so that’s good.
Whatever you do, just be sure to keep this contraption away from your microwave. We’re not responsible for what might happen if you confuse the two.


Zoo director begs people to stop screwing with air conditioner, setting it to lowest temperature
Japan’s new wearable air conditioner belt is here just in time for the Tokyo heat wave
Dog’s Onsen: Give your pet a traditional Japanese hot spring bath
Shiba Inu in the snow: Japanese dogs melt hearts with their love for the cold【Pics & Video】
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 odd ways Japanese people beat the summer heat【Weird Top Five】
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
7-Eleven Japan has a new Creamy Iced Cafe Latte that’s a hit on social media
Sanrio Hotel Floria isn’t actually a hotel, but it’s still a must visit for fans traveling in Tokyo
7-Eleven Japan releases new “mix-and-drink” matcha latte… that comes with a risk of choking
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Japanese rice cooker recipe gives us a tasty new way to enjoy vegetables and wieners
Family Mart commits “reverse fraud” in new Giant All-Star Festival, and we couldn’t be happier
New Tokyo sweets shop offers 648 different mochi ice cream dumpling combinations
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Kyoto public junior high school becomes first in Japan with a hoodie school uniform
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events