
Who needs fancy parking sensors when you’ve got chickens to help you out?
Recently, our Japanese-language reporters have been looking abroad for new life hacks, checking out social media platforms like TikTok to find new ways to make their lives easier.
After having success with the wearable umbrella, our reporter Masanuki Sunakoma was keen to try a new hack from abroad, involving screaming rubber chickens. Luckily for him, these chickens can be purchased in Japan, and Masanuki found his at the whacky Don Quijote chainstore.
Masanuki had initially wanted to purchase six or seven of these screaming chickens, but given that they cost 1,099 yen (US$7.70) each, he decided he could get away with purchasing just four. Costing a total of 4,396 yen, this was a bit of an investment, but if the hack were to work, Masanuki figured it would be worth it.
Once he got them home, it was time for Masanuki to prepare his chickens. This didn’t involve any plucking or roasting — instead, he had to attach each one to the wire fence in his residential parking lot.
▼ He used some string to keep them in position.
Attaching them with their stomachs at car-bumper-height, Masanuki lined the chickens up and stood back to admire his handiwork.
They looked to be evenly placed, which was what he wanted because these chooks were soon going to be cushioning his vehicle…as long as everything went according to plan.
The only thing to do now was to test it, so he hopped into his car and reversed into his parking space.
▼ Whoo hoo! Success!
While the chickens had safely cushioned Masanuki’s car bumper from the fence, one more short push would reveal the true beauty of using screaming chickens…
▼ …“PIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!”
For the record, “pi” (pronounced “pee”) is Japanese onomatopoeia for a beep-like sound, and that’s the sound these chooks made when the bumper pressed into them. They were so loud that Masanuki could hear them from the driver’s seat, showing just how effective this parking system was.
▼ Swipe left to watch video of the chickens in action.
This hack worked a treat, and to top it all off, no chickens were harmed in the process. In fact, they immediately sprang back to their normal shape after the experiment, ready to cushion his bumper again another day.
With the bright yellow colour standing out nicely in the rearview mirror, and their calls alerting the driver when to stop, it’s almost as if these chickens were designed to cushion car bumpers in parking lots.
So if you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to reverse into a car space like this, you might want to give this chicken hack a try. You should use more chickens than Masanuki did, though, to make things noisier, brighter and safer, so don’t be afraid to stock up on them — if you have any left over you can always use them for musical performances!
Photos © SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]












Takamatsu man arrested for car-bombing person whose parking method he disapproved of
This “Texas Pile” set lured us into a fried chicken shop for the first time, and we have no regrets
How to turn a Japanese kei car into a yankee party vehicle with accessories from Don Quijote
We accidentally dropped our newly hardened smartphone on the ground, but how is it?
We test drive a Nissan GT-R Premium Edition T-spec in Japan
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
Udon pudding is about to shake up the noodle scene in Japan
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Studio Ghibli combines anime and craftsmanship in new Totoro and Jiji Gobelin tapestry bags
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
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]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa