
As a young lad I often watched Flight of the Navigator and dreamed of flying around with Sara Jessica Parker in a spaceship that talked like Pee-Wee Herman. What child didn’t?
But most exciting was how beautifully shiny that ship was. Image if a car could be that shiny too. Actually, stop imagining because our reporter stumbled across one such vehicle at a Toyota event at Tokyo Midtown.
The car in question is a Toyota Harrier ( formerly the Lexus RX outside Japan, now a distinct model), a mid-sized luxury SUV with the stylish look of a sedan. However, our reporter noticed that this SUV had a surreal reflective ability to it.
Sure enough, such a shiny car was too good to be true. The highly reflective effect is caused by projection mapping, not unlike what Osaka Castle is undergoing these days. Everything around the car is recorded by cameras and instantly projected back onto the car to give it the appearance of a mirror. It was a neat trick and definitely something that would turn heads. Our reporter thought it was for the best anyway. A completely reflective automobile would never be road-safe.
So, a completely reflective ride is still out of the question it seems. Undaunted, I’m still trying to get Pee-Wee and Sarah Jessica Parker to follow me on Twitter. Two out of three ain’t bad.
Original report by Nakano
Photos: RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]








7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Public restrooms in Osaka to get in-stall video screens with ads
7-Eleven Japan releases a crazy new viral sandwich: Chocolate Sprinkles and Whipped Cream
Ramen restaurant in top Tokyo tourist neighborhood skips price gouging, but how does it taste?
Japan now has a “for foreign tourists only” Mt. Fuji sightseeing train[Video]
Public restrooms in Osaka to get in-stall video screens with ads
Ghibli Museum building becomes a cuddly cushion
Can you make butter by running with a pouch filled with cream? Let’s find out[Taste test]
Vending machine for cat treats installed in Osaka, and it meows at you!【Video】
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
New product aimed at Japanese women and cosplayers helps to create a slimmer, taller nose
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Stunning central Japan wisteria festival is like a purple fantasy straight out of a Ghibli movie
Create a tiny Ghibli anime world on your bookshelf with new miniature papercraft art kits
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Ghibli Museum building becomes a cuddly cushion
Can you make butter by running with a pouch filled with cream? Let’s find out[Taste test]
Vending machine for cat treats installed in Osaka, and it meows at you!【Video】
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
New product aimed at Japanese women and cosplayers helps to create a slimmer, taller nose
A gourmet family restaurant? Six reasons why you should go to a Denny’s in Japan
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Lawson now sells old rice as “vintage” onigiri in Japan
Complete adaptation of Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind is coming, as a kabuki play!
Studio Ghibli releases the My Neighbour Totoro tea caddy, with a magical self-closing lid
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
One of Japan’s craziest stores filled a swimming pool with used CDs【Photos】
Japanese schoolkids to be able to carry their books in official Harry Potter randoseru backpacks
Why you should be adding Calpis to your beer in Japan