
Our northern reporter dares to dream of a banana that can drive a nail through wood.
Like many parts of the world, Japan’s northern island prefecture of Hokkaido has been gripped with especially low temperatures. Normally, this would bum people out, but our Hokkaido-based writer K. Nagahashi saw it as an opportunity to have some fun.
First, he left a pair of wet jeans outside and made some ghost pants that stood up by themselves.
That was all well and good, but what Nagahashi really wanted was to make a banana hard enough to be able to hammer nails into wood, like he saw people do in other parts of the world. The temperature in his area at the time was hovering between -6 and -13℃ (21 and 9℉) which according to the internet was below the -3℃ (26℉) needed to freeze produce.
So he took a nanner and left it out in the snow for a while. However, after six hours it was still noticeably soft, probably because of the sunshine. So he decided to keep it out there a little longer — two days to be exact.
Feeling that the fruit had sufficiently hardened, Nagahashi walked out of his home, whistling a happy tune and carrying a small piece of lumber and box of nails. He dug the banana out of the snow, lined up a nail, and uh… oh….
This was unexpected.
The nail easily pierced through the frozen food, immediately dashing Nagahashi’s dream of a banana hammer.
This was nowhere near as easy as it looked on TV, but he didn’t come this far to give up. Where mother nature had failed him, modern technology would take over.
Leaving his now-thoroughly-abused banana in the freezer overnight, Nagahashi dreamt of building a kick-ass entertainment unit out of banana-driven nails and wood. The next morning, he tried again, starting with a few little taps to confirm the integrity of the fruit.
It appeared to hold, so he decided to put his elbow into it and give it a good drive…
▼ Success!!!
It took some trial and error, but Nagahashi can now say he lives somewhere that’s cold enough to hammer a nail with a banana. Sure, that isn’t exactly true since he used his freezer, but we can’t bring ourselves to break his heart and tell him that.
I mean, look at how happy he is.
By the way, at our organization there is no greater sin that wasting food. This banana is no exception, as our writer decided to make a nanner hammer milkshake.
▼ Before
▼ After
By the way, the US Department of Agriculture strongly advises against consuming foods that have been “frozen” in the snow, as the sun and fluctuating temperatures can keep it warm enough for harmful bacteria to still form within it.
So please don’t try this at home. We’d tell Nagahashi the same, but he just looks so darn happy. How can you say no to that face?
With climate change ushering in a new ice-age, the potential for frozen bananas to be useful as tools has never been greater. So this information could be valuable someday, and if any scientific committee out there wants to bestow an award on our brave investigative reporter, we’ll let you know what hospital he’s getting his stomach pumped in.
Images: SoraNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]















Japan now has a banana hammer made from a real banana…that’s not frozen
Japanese media finds out if it’s cold enough to “fry” an egg on the street in Hokkaido
Tokyo juice vending machine also gives you…a hammer?!?
Family Mart serves up Japanese nostalgia with new frozen choco banana that’s a sell-out hit
Hot sandwich maker becomes hot dessert maker with super-easy choco banana pie recipe【SoraKitchen】
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
“They’ve got be kidding me.” – Mayor in Japan fed up with off-season Mt. Fuji hikers needing rescue
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
Man tells Nintendo HQ “I’m going to blow you all the hell up,” gets arrested by Kyoto cops
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
New bounty system starts in Japan, rewards reports of illegal employment of foreigners
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
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
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
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
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese monaka ice cream looks very different in Hokkaido