
Having trouble playing the game with one hand holding onto your umbrella? Now we’ll show you how to stay dry while keeping both hands free for catching Pokémon!
Following our Japanese writing team’s success with their DIY hands-free Pokémon Go gaming accessory, constructed from a large coat hanger and a few rubber bands, they discovered they needed to update the item to adapt to the inclement weather seen in Tokyo recently. Quicker than you can say “Apple Update”, our Japanese writer P.K. Sanjun took up the role of head technician, delving into the corners of his genius brain to come up with the Poké-Han v.2.0, resulting in an accessory with just as many head-turning features as the first.
This one is just as easy to make too, requiring only three items: the frame from an external frame backpack, an umbrella, and some thick rubber bands to keep the handle of the brolly securely attached to the frame. After adding the original Poké-Han hands-free hanger around his neck, P.K. was ready to catch Pokémon in the rain.
Making his way down to the popular “Pikachu Forest“, otherwise known as Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, P.K. encountered groups of people gathered under trees and clutching umbrellas as they held their phones out, engrossed in the game. While others around him were dealing with the frustrations of one-handed gaming while sheltering from the rain, P.K. had both hands free to play the game and he would’ve been able to eat a burger at the same time too if he wanted. In fact, the horizontal section on the frame attached to his back would’ve been the perfect place to set up a tray of fast food to snack on while searching for Pokémon.
Despite looking a bit weird, P.K. was impressed with the huge contraption strapped to his body. He had full freedom of movement, while staying sheltered from the elements at the same time.
While he was a bit embarrassed at first to step out with all this equipment, he found that the looks he got from passers-by weren’t ones of surprised laughter; they were looks of awe. Fellow gamers saw his paraphernalia as a sign that he must be a high-ranking player!
His brief moment of pride turned sour, however, when he returned to the office and forgot that closing the umbrella meant shutting it down around his head. Oh well; it’s a good excuse as any to get started on v.3.0!
To see our writer testing out the contraption, check out the short video below!
Photos © RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]







DIY Pokémon Go lifehack from Japan: rest tired arms with creative hands-free “Poké-Han” device
Giant Pokémon Go video display at Shinjuku Station brings our reporter to tears
Hands on with New Pokémon Snap! Is the Poké-photo game fun to play with your kids?
Crafting an easy hands-free umbrella with a few ordinary household items
Pokémon Go in Japan: We discover a “Pikachu forest” in Tokyo!
Shinto shrine gate parfaits that tell your fortune now being served in Tokyo
New Transforming Business Card case brings anime mecha to Japanese work meetings
Studio Ghibli adds new finger puppets to its anime merchandise collection in Japan
Go to hell! …at a limited time historical art exhibit coming to Osaka
Kyoto temple bans visitors from wearing kimono
Lego PlayStation recreates Sony’s original console, makes unusual choice for games to salute
New Pokémon anniversary song is 22 minutes long, features all 1,025 Pokémon species [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new coffee table book featuring 18 of the most unique stores around the country
New Japanese ice cream is Ballin, in more ways than one
Kobe middle schools begin abolishing extracurricular activities, shift to community programs
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Japan’s first fall color forecast for 2026 is here!
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Starbucks Japan reveals new Tsukimi Moon-Viewing drinkware and gifts for autumn 2026
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
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
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
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】
Hands-on with Pokémon Legends: Arceus from someone vomit-inducingly bad at action games
We catch a rare Glasses Farfetch’d in Japan with world’s first Pokémon Go master, Nick Johnson
A wild trader appears in Sendai for Pokémon GO Fest 2024
Lifehacks for perverts: How to make a pretty bow out of some pretty panties 【Video】
Pokémon GO Plus may be hiding an awesome secret bonus for users, our field test discovers
Pokémon GO melds with Tokyo’s traditional neighborhood for Asakusa Routes event, gets thumbs up from us
Will Yomiuriland’s Pokémon Wonder attraction be a good place to play Pokémon GO? We investigate
We arrive at Pokémon GO Fest 2019 Chicago to up our game, scout out shinies
Smartphone remorse – Commuting with a blindfold to better understand blind pedestrians’ plight
Pokémon Go released in Japan? We spot a rare “Glasses Pikachu” at Tokyo’s Nintendo headquarters
We investigate the “secret menu” at Tendon Tenya: vegetable tempura for 210 yen?!
We caught up with three big names at Niantic at the latest Pokémon GO live event in Las Vegas
【Mr. Sato Wisdom】”Anyone who doesn’t take home their disposable chopsticks is a damn fool!”
A Pokémon fan’s eye-opening experience of Japan’s national championship
6 reasons why Pokémon GO might make a comeback, according to P.K. Sanjun