September in Japan is the bridge between summer and autumn, with warm humid days mixed in with cool nights and passing typhoons dumping some of the year’s highest amounts of rainfall around the country.
With the rain set to continue, umbrella sales are in full swing at the moment, and some of the best ones here are simply magic. They won’t send you flying through the air like Mary Poppins, but they will reveal hidden secrets when the rain begins to fall!
When dry, these unsuspecting umbrellas might seem plain but add water and all sorts of gorgeous patterns appear. So how does it work? We take a look at the science behind the magic with five particularly gorgeous designs.
The transformation process doesn’t take long at all. After just moments in the rain, tiny formations begin to take shape and then before you know it, the shade looks entirely different.
▼ Sakura cherry blossom designs are among the most common for magic umbrellas.
▼ If you’re extra lucky, you’ll be able to find cat-patterns!
▼ Anchors are another unusual design.
▼ For something more traditional, try a kamon family crest motif.
But how does it all work? This isn’t quite as complicated as you might imagine!
The shade-cloth is treated with a combination of water-repelling and water-absorbing agents, so areas that soak up water become darker than the other areas.
The water absorption is effective for both large patches and thin outlines, which allows for all sorts of designs.
▼ Including Totoro!
▼ No Face from Spirited Away might look lonely…
▼ But all it takes is a spot of rain and the world of Spirited Away appears!
While a range of magic umbrellas can be purchased online, the two Ghibli designs are available from Donguri Kyowakoku stores. If you’re here for a short visit, be sure to take a look around popular tourist areas because there’s often a selection of different umbrellas on sale for visitors. As something both practical and memorable, this might be one of your best souvenir purchases!
Source: Bored Panda
Top Image: RocketNews24
Insert Images: RocketNews24, flipbook62, NilsAxelsson, Piarrate
Totoro and No-Face come out to play in the rain on Ghibli umbrellas that change patterns when wet
Studio Ghibli umbrellas bring anime joy to Japan’s rainy season
Studio Ghibli releases bonsai fountains for your home
Studio Ghibli releases art crystal puzzles and folding umbrellas for rainy season in Japan
Don’t let the rain get you down! Here are Japan’s top 10 most beautiful rainy day travel spots
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Japan asked to vote on what to officially call insanely hot days
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Manga artist raises question online about false perspective in Ghibli film My Neighbor Totoro
The best cosplayers from Day Two of the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival
Pins ‘n’ peel: This banana art will blow your mind
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japanese restaurant chain serves Dragon Ball donuts and Senzu Beans this spring
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Sakura Festival in Chiyoda mixes illuminations, boats, music, and Rilakkuma in the heart of Tokyo
Japan’s craziest burger chain takes menchi katsu to new extreme levels
Viral Japanese cheesecake from Osaka has a lesser known rival called Aunt Wanda
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
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
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
My fridge neighbor Totoro – Ghibli’s new line of magnets brings anime magic to your home【Pics】
Studio Ghibli humidifiers fight dry air with anime magic
New Studio Ghibli humidifiers breathe anime magic into your home
Studio Ghibli makes every day magical with new Spirited Away, Totoro and Kiki calendars
Studio Ghibli releases Mini Mini Stamp sets featuring top anime characters
New Studio Ghibli tea collection includes tea sourced from Totoro’s real-life forest in Japan!
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Studio Ghibli adds folding fans to its anime specialty store in Japan
Studio Ghibli adds Spirited Away Bonsai Water Garden to merchandise collection in Japan
New Ghibli T-shirts give you anime style with short sleeves from Spirited Away, Totoro, and more
Studio Ghibli fukubukuro lucky bag is a sell-out hit in Japan at New Year