
The “Fantastick” Mr. Jonas is a real keeper!
If you’ve ever lost an umbrella (is there anyone who hasn’t?), then you’ll be able to understand immediately what a boon this “smart umbrella” really is.
The digital accessories company Fantastick is releasing the world’s first smart umbrella on August 8, 2016 and it can be yours for the low, low price of 10,778 yen (about US$105).
“$105? For a single umbrella? Why, I could buy 5 umbrellas for that price!” is what you must be thinking, and you would probably be right. Consider, though, why you might need to buy 5 umbrellas instead of just using the same one for the rest of your life (or until it outlives its usefulness). In 2014, Sunnycomb, a weather-related blog, conducted a “Global Umbrella Survey” and found that on average, people lose roughly 3 to 5 umbrellas throughout the course of their lifetime.
▼ The need for a smart umbrella might be more applicable to men…
Since these stats say you are pretty likely to end up spending about $100 on umbrellas anyway, you might as well have one that’s totally cool, and Jonas promises to stay by your side forever.
Once you’ve installed the associated app and connected Jonas to your smartphone via Bluetooth, he will let you know if you’ve been cruel enough to leave him behind by sending an alert to your phone. It also works in reverse; if you leave your smartphone behind, Jonas will vibrate and notify you with an alarm.
▼Left Jonas behind? He won’t let you get too far without him!
Jonas does more than just keep you out of the lost-and-found. The umbrella downloads the weekly weather forecast so that one look at Jonas before you head out the door will help you decide whether he needs to come along. You’ll also get incoming call, message, and email alerts from your smartphone through the umbrella!
Not only is Jonas a handsome lad, he’s classy too. Made of a premium pongee cloth, an aluminum handle, and available in an array of sophisticated colors, Jonas gets his juice from 4 AAA batteries.
If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to one umbrella and one umbrella only, you can pick one up at the official Fantastick store or pre-order online at MiNDEPA.
Check out the video below to find out more!
Fantastick
Address: 4 Chome-29-7 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku, Tōkyō-to 150-0001
東京都渋谷区神宮前4-29-7 原宿V-1ビル1
Hours: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Website





Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Lipton releases… Pudding Milk Tea in Japan?!?
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Bandai cancels gacha/blind-buy system for anime cosmetics, will let fans choose what they buy
Japan’s Mister Donut Japan tries its hand at Taiwanese-style street food donuts
Shinto shrine will bless your bike helmet and give you a sacred bike helmet stamp
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Only five branches of Japan’s beef bowl giant Matsuya serve milk shakes, but how do they taste?
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production