
For many of our readers, the “culture festivals” held at high schools and colleges will already be familiar thanks to their prevalence in anime and TV dramas produced in Japan. Even if you’ve never been to Japan yourself, you probably already know that the classes turn their rooms into fun little shops, offering food and entertainment for their families, friends, alumni fellow students and teachers.
While most of them aren’t particularly elaborate, every now and then, a class with will show up with a project that goes above and beyond. This year, one of those projects exploded online, capturing the attention of thousands of Twitter users. The idea? The students made their own “tea cup” ride! It’s just like what you’d see at Disneyland, but entirely mechanical and way, way more awesome!
A bit of ingenuity can go a long way, so we imagine whoever came up with this design is already on the path to fame and riches as an engineer. Or at least going to have no trouble getting into a decent university.
[tweet https://twitter.com/1230Seiya/status/649532795547598849 align=center]The tweet above showing off the “coffee cup” ride garnered almost 50,000 retweets and favorites combined—which is probably about 10,000 times what they expected! But it’s not difficult to see why the video is so popular, as you really have to respect the ingenuity and dedication to not only make this ride but to keep pushing it for customer after customer.
▼ But it was surely worth it for 29,000 retweets.
[tweet https://twitter.com/1230Seiya/status/650990904090607617 align=center]If you’re wondering how the ride was made to spin, you may be interested to know that no bearings were used. One Twitter user asked and was surprised to learn that the spinning was accomplished using only “casters,” as in the spinning wheels you find on the bottom of handcarts and the like.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Recon1023/status/649582872139960320 align=center hide_thread=’true’]“By ‘tires’, do you mean casters? So, you didn’t use any bearings? (´・ω・`) Thank you!”
We’re not sure how much more difficult that actually makes things, but we’re still impressed. And now that we’ve watched those kids pushing the wheel for nearly an eternity, we can’t help thinking of this. We might need to update it for the modern age though. Maybe something about getting lots of attention on Twitter and selfies?
Source/image: Twitter/@1230Seiya

School kids in Japan build incredible working tea cup rides for school festivals
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Studio Ghibli adds new anime tumblers to its cool streetwear brand in Japan
How much is Amazon Japan’s lowest-rated currency calculator worth in yen?
Visiting Japan’s one-and-only, and only-for-a-limited-time, Dragon Ball noodle restaurant[Photos]
Artist creates “PokeMonstrosities” that are the stuff of nightmares
Intimate Korean yoga workout promises to burn calories, get your heart racing【Video】
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
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
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