
Whether you’re a struggling college student or just trying to save some money by reusing and recycling, here are some lifehacks from Japan that have proven to be very popular on Twitter. They may look silly, but you will thank these ingenious users for their clever ideas as you wonder why you never thought of these before. Here are 10 ways to upgrade your life according to Japanese Twitter users.
1. Speakers for your smartphone
わくわくさんもビックリの、トイレットペーパーの芯と紙コップで、スピーカーを作りました。これがちゃんと効果あるんです。 pic.twitter.com/ZyJzYvVu6N
— 見取り図 盛山 (@morishimc) August 17, 2014
Keep your wallet happy and heavy by saving some money when you create your own speakers. This easy setup requires two small paper cups and a toilet paper roll. Cut holes in the cups that align with the TP roll, add a little tape for stability and you’re finished! Not only will the tunes be bumping from your amazing setup, but it also works as a phone holder!
2. Tablet holder/sound amplification party station
キッチンで音楽が聴きたくてiPadを持ってきたんだけど、音が弱くて哀しい。そうだ、蓄音機の原理で音響が広がるところに置けばいいんじゃ?と置いてみたら音が良くなったすごい pic.twitter.com/0dYzUDDPsp
— 蛇蔵@天地創造デザイン部8巻発売中 (@nyorozo) June 4, 2014
A rice cooker might be an excellent way to cook rice, but it’s also perfectly shaped to hold a tablet and blast some tunes. The type of rice cooker doesn’t make a difference, as long as the tablet is able to fit in it. The curved nature of the rice bowl is perfect for amplifying the sound. Now you can work in the kitchen and listen to music as well. Life hacked? Life certainly made more musical.
3. Laundry clip makes a perfect smartphone holder
iPhone用の三脚これでいいや pic.twitter.com/g5yh8XTU6B
— 西村ヒロチョ (@ChoChoHirocho) September 15, 2015
Most smartphones are designed so that they can’t be propped up against anything without sliding down again. It makes them look sleek and futuristic, but makes it difficult to set it up so you can watch something. This is why you will see a bunch of solutions in electronic stores that will prop up your phone, but cost you a bit of money. But, fear not! Take one of those insanely cheap clothes line clips and clip it around your phone! It works not only when you clip it horizontally (which is perfect for watching Netflix), but to stand your phone vertically as well!
4. Keep your children or significant other from playing games all night
親戚宅のゲーム制限 #発想の勝利 pic.twitter.com/zSVmwVCJoV
— クロスケ (@kurosuke_g) January 2, 2014
We’ve all got that person in our life that plays video games for a little too long. For those people, look no further than a little lock that fits perfectly through the prong holes of a power cord. With this little lock trick, it leaves the power cord out in the open, mocking the non-game playing gamer and letting them know you were the one who did that. What are they going to do about it? Forget their woes by escaping into a video game? Don’t think so!
5. Chocolate box or 3DS cartridge holder?
ゴディバチョコの容器がゲーマーに優しくて採用決定した(笑)すごいピッタリw pic.twitter.com/sOIgQcpDNV
— ワト (@WatsonStrong00) January 3, 2015
For those who get chocolate for special occasions, (realizing that you’re craving chocolate is a special occasion, right?) and have a surplus of 3DS games, have you ever thought that the square containers for the chocolate might be a perfect case for the games? This Twitter user found out that they fit perfectly. Why didn’t we think of this before?
6. Keep your mosquito repellent in a CD case
キャンプのときに蚊取り線香持っていくと壊れたりしてたんだけど、CDケースがジャストサイズということに気づいた。 pic.twitter.com/4zJ15TdClJ
— ちん (@nirinbenri) August 31, 2014
Those of you who like camping already know the scourge of bugs that bite and their hovering hunger. Mosquito repellent coils are just one of the ways to keep the bugs at bay, but if you’re not careful, their fragile nature will break from a bump on the road while heading to your destination. Keep that from happening with a spare CD case; we imagine people have a lot of those lying around. Or maybe not, because who buys CDs anymore?
7. Ice cream lid for your camera lens cover
ハーゲンダッツの蓋、72mm径のレンズにはぴったり嵌った(笑) レンズキットでご購入の方、お試しあれ。 pic.twitter.com/3HRnnGr7YB
— usagam (@2991219) November 16, 2014
Anyone with a DSLR camera knows just how easy it is to put the lens cap cover down and never find it again. Other times it just randomly falls off when you are out and about. When that happens, be sure to attend to your sorrows with a small cup of ice cream and then use the lid as a replacement cover! You’re definitely killing two birds with one stone with this hack. Just make sure to lick any residual ice cream from the lid first. The lens in the picture above happens to be a 72-millimeter lens.
8. Prevent your iPhone charger cable from doing that really annoying thing
Apple製品を買ったら一番最初にする事は、充電コードの根元をボールペンのバネで補強する事。これをやってから千切れ無くなった pic.twitter.com/uytFYiSmhR
— SHiNji (@shinji_rgm79) October 31, 2014
If you’ve ever owned an iPhone or iPad, then you have likely experienced this problem. The cord right below the bit of plastic that plugs into the phone always seems to fray and the wires get exposed. To prevent that from happening, after purchasing your new Apple product, immediately take the spring from a ball point pen and fit it over that weak area. You will never suffer from that problem again!
9. Use your smartphone and a plastic bottle for ambient light
https://twitter.com/wataru132/status/512152790332743680When you suddenly enter a dark area, the handy-dandy convenience of smartphones makes it so you can immediately illuminate the room with the touch of a button. But if you want to create more of an atmosphere, take a plastic bottle full of water and project your smartphone light through it. To make the light even softer, add a bit of milk to the bottle. Can you feel the difference tonight?
10. A Japan-specific hack for foldable umbrellas
折りたたみ傘てほんと置き場に困るから、これ考えた人、神。 pic.twitter.com/M5PWqNzRh7
— 林あや (@Hayashi_AYA) July 15, 2015
Stores in Japan often have a holder outside of stores where people can conveniently keep their wet umbrellas while they shop. But they are ultimately designed for long, tall umbrellas and not the ones that fit in your purse or backpack. But by taking a 1.5 liter plastic bottle, cutting it in half and fitting it upside down into the original umbrella holder, you now have the perfect place for both styles of umbrellas. To whoever thought of this, we are eternally grateful!
There you have it, 10 popular hacks from Japan for a number of areas of your life. Let us know which ones you might benefit from or some of your favorites in the comments below!
Source: CuRAZY
Top Image: Twitter/@2991219, Twitter/@ChoChoHirocho, Twitter/@WatsonStrong00 (edited by RocketNews24)

Never misclick on your smartphone again with Japanese Twitter user’s awesome life hack
Japanese netizen comes up with brilliant idea for child-friendly train handle
All the smartphone accessories you’ll ever need – only 100 yen each!
Japanese designers’ brilliant way to stop people forgetting their smartphones in public restrooms
Freakish Twitter video shows phone walking on its own, no human attached
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
You can assemble a well-balanced team of Pokémon, them eat them, thanks to Japanese cake chain
McDonald’s Japan adds new Hello Kitty and Pompompurin drinks to the menu for a limited time
New Japanese KitKats come in sakura flavour, with poetic symbolism for success
Sailor Moon’s Artemis is part of the Artemis II NASA mission control team[Video]
New cafe in trendy Tokyo neighborhood is staffed by grannies and grandpas with average age of 73
Starbucks Japan closing only Shinkansen platform branch for popularity-triggered renovations
Which Gundam is the favorite for fans in different countries? Gundam election announces results
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Criminals of Japan’s Edo Period Were Often Punished by Getting Face Tattoos
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Pokémon lacquerware series expands for Year of the Horse with new handcrafted design[Video]
Two food hacks take Japan’s convenience store fried chicken to amazing new sandwich heights
Tokyo’s best museum for foreign travelers finally reopens after being closed for four years
Totoro Fund line of beautiful artwork and apparel lets you help the real-world Totoro Forest
Fading Tokyo – Searching for signs of the Showa era as local neighborhoods evolve[Photos]
Tokyo turns its phone booths into free Wi-Fi hotspots, and here’s how to use them
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
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
Easily distracted? Have no fear, a new gadget to the rescue!
Seven more handy, bargain-priced items from Japan designed to make life easier around the house
Beat the heat with a beautiful umbrella sky! Nothing can rain on this parade【Photos】
Turn a self-isolation birthday into a tasty party celebration with this smart hack from Japan
Trash to treasure: Incredible motorised steampunk goggles are made out of nothing but spare parts
Discovered: An even better way to open Japanese convenience store rice balls【Video】
Huge lock on Japanese public toilet door is true display of kind customer service
What should you do if you get stuck in an elevator in an earthquake? Japan’s NHK offers five tips
How to shrink an empty pizza delivery box – Japanese Twitter shares hydro life hack
Tiny characters and cuties to hold up your smart phone 【Photos】
Japanese model cuts up her bra and turns it into a face mask
The simplest, most direct way to protect your umbrella from being stolen in Japan
Latest Japanese lifehack shows how to store exercise balls … with nothing but a corner ceiling