
Arms tired from holding your smartphone in front of you all day? We’ll show you how to make this ingenious “Poké-Han“ mobile gaming accessory!
Following the recent video message from the creators of Pokémon Go to stay safe and keep our heads up while playing the game, our Pokémon-loving Japanese writing team decided to come up with an ingenious new device to help increase safety and game-playing stamina at the same time. Proving that simple designs are often the most effective, the new invention uses just two everyday items, a clothes hanger and some rubber bands, to improve posture and relieve the annoying effects of painful “gamer’s arm” that results from holding your smartphone out in search of Pokémon all day.
Dubbed the “Poké-Han” (short for “Pokémon Hanger“), the new invention rests smartphones at a comfortable level so players can keep their backs straight and heads up, increasing their field of vision and awareness of their surroundings while playing the game. It also saves your arm and hand from unnecessary strain caused by holding the device in one hand.
The new invention was passed around the office and, despite looking a little ridiculous, it got the thumbs-up from everyone, including passionate mobile gamer Mr Sato.
To see just how easy it is to make the Poké-Han, check out the short DIY video below. Not only is it simple to construct, each piece will set you back just 100 yen (US$0.94)!
To truly put the invention to the test, the team sent three gamers from the office out into the field to see how the Poké-Han fared in the real world of gameplay.
According to the trio, once they started playing the game, any embarrassment they felt about wearing the strange-looking contraptions quickly disappeared. It actually made gaming much easier than usual, increasing their excitement for playing the game.
▼ There were no problems at all with swiping and catching Pokémon.
▼ And it really did help with increasing their field of vision, making them more aware of the scenery around them.
Our gaming trio loved the handmade gadget. Not only was it cheap and easy to make, it made them feel like they could expertly navigate their way through crowded streets and explore the city for hours without succumbing to any bodily aches and pains. The only hurdle was the fact that it’s not the most fashionable of accessories, attracting looks from passers-by, which makes this a bit of a challenge to wear when out on your own. There’s a lot less embarrassment when out with a group of like-minded friends, of course!
What do you think about the Poké-Han? Do you think it might catch on and become a worldwide phenomenon? Let us know in the comments section below!
Photos © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Oona on Twitter for more information about Pokémon news from Japan.







DIY Pokémon Go lifehack from Japan: Hands free “Poké-Han” device gets a rainy day edition
Pokéball Aimer 3-D printed iPhone case makes news among Pokémon Go Trainers in Japan
Here’s how the awesome new Pokémon GO mobile game will look on your smartphone
Pokémon Go players can now keep phones charged with hand-made Poké Ball portable battery charger
Pokémon Go players discover unusual gym locations around Japan
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Police in Japan looking for who’s responsible for dumping 80 loaves of bread on side of road [Video]
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
Data suggests increased bear sightings have led to a decrease in mountain climbers across Japan
Nephew of Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki serves up Totoro Shaved Ice in Tokyo
Pikachu and other Pokémon evolve into hydration types with Thermos drinkware collaboration [Pics]
Amid foreign sex tourist rise, Japanese government considering outlawing paying for prostitution
Ministop brings bulked up Okinawan-style rice balls to mainland Japan for one week only
We recommend not buying one pack of Japan’s new convenience store corn soup-flavor fried chicken
Winnie the Pooh cosplays as Yuzuru Hanyu for new plushie collaboration
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Studio Ghibli unveils new interactive stationery dioramas that bring anime movies to life on your desk
Studio Ghibli composer Jo Hisaishi just set three Guinness Records
Anime fans can now wear a Seiko watch inspired by Japan’s One Piece Shinkansen
7-Eleven Japan brings back best-selling flat croissant that became a hit on social media
Foreign hiker on Mt. Fuji loses consciousness and dies, becoming climbing season’s second fatality
Universal Studios Japan partners with manga horror master Junji Ito’s Tomie
Starbucks Japan releases two new seasonal drinks that blur the line between summer and autumn
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japanese vending machine sells freshly squeezed lemon juice with a futuristic light show
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
6 things people in Japan should watch out for when Pokémon Go lands in the country
Pokémon GO players in Japan discover strange new hybrid species of monsters in the game
Before Pokémon Go, there was Ingress, and its first “XM-Profiler Illumination Portal” is in Japan
Pokémon Go Trainers in Japan take over parks in huge crowds on first weekend of game’s release
Pokémon GO now doctor-approved thanks to Tokyo University study
We catch a rare Glasses Farfetch’d in Japan with world’s first Pokémon Go master, Nick Johnson
Pokémon Go released in Japan? We spot a rare “Glasses Pikachu” at Tokyo’s Nintendo headquarters
China creates its own version of Pokémon Go called “City Spirits Go”
Giant Pokémon Go video display at Shinjuku Station brings our reporter to tears
Pikachu cosplayer delights Pokémon Go gamers in Japan
We catch up with world’s first Pokémon Go master, Nick Johnson, in Tokyo
Creators of Pokémon Go apologise for game’s late arrival in video address to players in Japan
6 reasons why Pokémon GO might make a comeback, according to P.K. Sanjun
Is Pokémon Go helping prevent deaths at one of Japan’s most notorious suicide spots?
We asked a Niantic insider 30 questions about Pokémon Go, learned a lot of useful information