Japanese inventions
The creative team at Bibi Lab have been at it again. The inventive brand dedicated to bringing weird and wonderful items out into the world have delighted us with life-sized human-shaped pillows, mosquito net jumpsuits and even sailor-style schoolgirl uniforms for men.
Now there’s another item we’ll be adding to our growing collection of Bibi Lab products: the giant anime-style pigtails pillow.
Japanese inventions have a reputation for being incredibly awesome, incredibly bizarre, and, um, even more incredibly bizarre. And this latest creation is no exception: say hello to the chair-umbrella.
Ever needed a seat but all you had was a stupid, useless umbrella? Well never again! Just turn this amazing invention upside-down, open it up, sit on down, and prepare to be stared at and asked if you need to be taken to a hospital.
We are well aware of the lengths Apple fanatics go to for their devices, and while waiting in line for 48 hours may make for some precious memories, one fan’s devotion gave rise to something quite tangible and utilitarian. Whether you have small hands or inherited stubby fingers like Lisa Simpson, check out the clever case Japanese Twitterer and sound engineer Gusoh came up with so that he could still easily manipulate the larger iPhone 6 with one hand! That leaves the other five digits free for, say, coffee or an iPod Touch? (I’m sure you’ve seen these busy people on the train, right?)
Extend your thumb by 15 millimeters! Why? So you can use your phone more easily! With its completely life-like design, no one will even notice! Rakuten is currently offering this stylish thumb made by Rare Mono for just 1,480 yen (US$14.50). It could change your life.
One of the pet peeves many housewives have is the accidental sprinkle when their husbands tinkle, which eventually leads to one of the things couples commonly argue over; putting the toilet seat up (or down). It seems it’s impossible for women to understand why men can’t keep their sprinkle within the bowl, and at the same time, men can’t seem to get why women get pissed over a tiny splash.
Some innovative housewives in Japan decided that the best way to solve this issue is to make the men go down on their knees when they use the potty.
Are you tired of combing through iTunes or Pandora in search of the perfect song? Well you’re in luck! Now your headphones can read your mind and select the exact playlist to suit your mood.
Do friends never know how you’re feeling based on facial cues?
Ever find yourself enviously eyeing your dog and its expressive posterior appendage?
Oh tailless one, you are in luck! From the makers of Necomimi mind-controlled cat ears comes Shippo, a mind-controlled tail that wags based on your mood.
When I was a kid, my dad’s 300 gallon fish tank overflowed and dumped a quarter of its contents onto my mother’s clean kitchen floor. Like any logical child would do, I stripped down buck naked and had a slip n slide party in the kitchen. It was awesome.
While insisting that my sister push me in a baby doll stroller, the dang thing snapped in half and I was rewarded with a metal rod scraping the length of my shin. I still have a scar to prove it.
Having outgrown my white, teal, and bright pink roller blades (ah, the 90’s), I tried strapping the neighbor boy’s Playskool dump truck and school bus to my feet, attempting, in vain, to find a substitute.
Forever on a quest to find the newest and funnest (hey, Microsoft, funnest is a word!) mode of transportation, the seven-year-old in me wants to go out and do everything in her power to find this amazing mini car that a full grown adult can ride on!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Now is the time to visit one of Tokyo’s best off-the-beaten-path plum blossom gardens
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
New zombie ship sets sail in Japan, includes Shinkansen tickets and all-you-can-eat sushi
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
What’s up with the secret basement at this Japanese train station?
Tokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Weekly
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth- Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
- Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
A look back on 40 years of Japanese schools banning stuff
New Family Mart cinema opens inside Japanese airport
Monthly
- Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
- Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026- Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】- Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima- Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Yearly
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home- 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- Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Room 404: What happened when we stayed in an unlucky hotel room in Japan
Rumors say Tokyo’s Sensoji Temple sticks you with bad fortunes, so we bought 100 to find out
What’s up with the secret basement at this Japanese train station?
Tokyo’s best ramen breakfast? Restaurant two minutes from Tokyo Station is a strong contender
We eat at three Japanese family restaurants to find the one with the best-value breakfast
Hiroshima samurai house’s toilet and shrine show it wasn’t always easy being a warrior family
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Hatsune Miku-inspired figure has no need for pants or panties 【Photos】
The Place Where Totoro Was Born: New Studio Ghibli book includes art by Hayao Miyazaki’s wife
Yakuza may be blocked from using all expressways in Japan within the decade
Yakuza member arrested for renting a car once in 2022
Can you eat lunch in Tokyo for less than 500 yen?
How to turn cold McDonald’s fries into the best hash browns you’ve ever tasted
It’s illegal for yakuza to go to professional baseball games in Japan, Tokyo arrests remind us
-
