
Japanese electronics maker Sharp has announced their latest product – this adorable bedside lamp that emits what they call ‘plasmacluster ions’. No, they are unfortunately not going to be the baby blue and pink beads you see drifting into the air in the illustration. However, these plasmacluster ions supposedly have anti-bacterial properties.
All you need to do is plug in your lamp and it will not only purify your air, but also improve your sleep and the condition of your skin! Now, that sounds like a good deal if it really works.
Besides the aforementioned bedside lamp, also in the lineup is a more futuristic looking plasmacluster ion generator for your ceiling. If you’re wondering what this plasmacluster ion thing is all about, Sharp has a special website dedicated to explaining their new technology in English.
If the product works as promised, it will not only disinfect your air, but also keep your room moist so you won’t wake up with dry lips or scratchy throat in the morning, even during the dry winters Japan is known for.
The Bedside Lap ‘IG-GBP1’
The bedside lamp version of the plasmacluster ion generator will sit next to you as you sleep, promising to be so quiet that you won’t even know its there. Throughout the night, the little plasmacluster ion elves will be hard at work purifying the air as well as your skin so that you can wake up to a moist, firm and clean face without effort. On top of that, the lamp itself uses sakura pink LED instead of white LED for ‘enhanced healing effects’. The lamp will be released on November 20 and can be yours for 20,000 yen (US$185).
The Ceiling Version ‘IG-GTA20’
Designed for use in the bathroom, the IG-GTA20 is meant to be attached to the ceiling. You can also put it in your room to battle the microbes and bacteria lurking on the floor and in the carpets. Similar to the bedside lamp, the ceiling plasmacluster ion generator can also function as interior lighting.
Furthermore, this generator has a sensor which turns the light on automatically whenever someone enters the room and off when it senses that no one is present. The generator also runs on a stronger mode when the light is off to produce more anti-bacterial plasmacluster ions. You can take this piece of convenient technology home for 22,000 yen ($203).
For about $200, you get to keep you room clean and bright, and even have better skin – I’m adding that bedside lamp to my Christmas wishlist!



New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan’s cheap beef bowl chain goes upscale with Matsuya Premium, but is it worth the higher price?
7-Eleven Japan joins the craze for Korean Gamja Cheese Balls
Two of Kyoto’s famous temples tackle streetside trash with solar-powered trash cans
Starbucks Japan releases special limited-edition summer drinks… at only 30 stores
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Ghibli’s No Face continues to demonstrate his generous character growth by dispensing soy sauce
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
Colour Hunting: The hot new street photography trend changing how we see Japan
Body of missing American college student found in Kyoto mountains
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
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
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
Japanese convenience store shows us how to dress for the rainy season
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
Anne Hathaway creates PR frenzy in Japan after mentioning Tottori in Devil Wears Prada interview
East Japan Railway announces plans to abolish magnetic-strip tickets
Lawson transforms convenience store food with massive katsu burger and an insane curry bread
Luxury houseplant fraud leads to arrest of Takamatsu man
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal toys now available at McDonald’s Japan
New Square Enix Cafe reveals Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Nier, and Fullmetal Alchemist menu items
Shakey’s Japan creates matcha mochi, Kyoto fish, and Kansai Chili Con Carne pizzas
7-Eleven Japan reinvents convenience store fruit sandwiches with new salty pink sakura peach variety
Starbucks adds new Fruit Gummy sweets to stores in Japan
Date handsome cockroaches in a new dating sim from one of Japan’s leading pest control companies
Bears appear at one of Kyoto Prefecture’s most popular tourist spots[Video]
7-Eleven Japan releases a chocolate chip sandwich… that tastes like ice cream
Burger King Japan offering all-you-can-eat quad-burgers, whoever eats the most gets more in December
Dragon Quest King Slime eye drops fly off shelves in less than a day