Now you can feel the irresistable warmth of a kotatsu whenever you want, so say goodbye to productivity.
kotatsu
Working from home was great while it lasted but we’re about to become full-time nappers at home.
A traditional piece of Japanese furniture gets a modern update to make telecommuting extra cozy in the cold part of the year.
There are only three of these adorable verdant vehicles out on the streets — flag one down if you get the chance!
Kitty-sized furniture comes bundled with a huge supply of winter snacks for their human caretakers.
Japan’s amazingly cozy heated tables combined with movie magic? Sounds like the perfect way to spend a winter day.
The cold never bothered her anyway! Check out Elsa showing the proper way to enjoy winter in Japan!
Ditch the dining room table and sit at a Japanese-style one with a heater, like at this ingenious Tokyo restaurant.
Winter is undoubtedly the worst season to be alone in Japan. Soon singles will be starting the annual desperate search for the special someone to spend Christmas with and it’s not hard to see why. Having someone to cuddle up to during the upcoming cold, long months is far preferable to fighting off the chill by yourself.
Of course, not everyone wants to jump into a relationship just for a little extra body heat, and now thanks to one Japanese electronics maker and their kotatsu for one, singles just might be in for the warmest winter yet.
Depending on where you are, winters in Japan can be bitterly cold or actually rather temperate, but due to a general lack of insulation, it seems like most Japanese homes are always a little cold. But this general chilliness gave birth to that magical piece of furniture, the kotatsu. Basically a covered table with a heater attached, the kotatsu is often the centerpiece of a Japanese living room and a great way to get in some family time.
And with these new cat-themed kotatsu covers, cushions, and hoodies, it’ll be twice as difficult to pull yourself away from the kotatsu on a chilly winter morning!
When a Japanese Twitter user removed the covering from the top of her kotatsu (heated table) for cleaning, she discovered that she had disrupted the peaceful slumber of the thing that was lurking beneath…make that things, and cute things, in fact!
One of the worst things about winter in Japan is that with no central heating and a lack of insulation, the temperature inside your house feels pretty much the same as the temperature outside your house. One of the best things is taking the opportunity to snuggle up under a kotatsu, especially if you have a furry friend to join you.
As you may have already heard, winter is cold in Japan. Maybe not as cold as some other more northern countries, but it’s still very chilly even indoors because many people still choose to only heat one room in the house at a time, or live in buildings made out of lightweight materials in an effort to make them as earthquake-safe as possible. This proves to be a bit of an issue for pet owners. Many pets are built to resist some amount of cold (because duh, fur!) but others aren’t equipped to deal with the cold daytime weather.
Perhaps this is why Japan sells some pretty ridiculous pet clothes! UNIHABITAT has a couple of new pet outfits that are going to turn some heads, but will also keep your pets warm and cozy this winter season.
Chilly as winter may get in Japan, we’ve got to admit there are some cool things about the coldest part of the year. For example, the Christmas decorations around Tokyo are amazing, and even if you’re not feeling up to braving the cold weather, Japan offers a couple of ways to make winter more bearable even if you’re staying indoors. High on the list are mikan, the mandarin oranges that’re at their tastiest in winter, and kotatsu, the blanket-covered, heater-equipped tables that’re so cozy it’s almost impossible to pull yourself out of one once you get situated comfortably.
Don’t take our word for it, though, as these adorable cats lounging though a Japanese winter serve as far better spokescreatures for mikan and kotatsu than we ever could.
MOST POPULAR
Now
Otaku geek makeovers by Tokyo fashion expert go viral in Japan
All aboard the train station soba restaurant that’s being called the best in Japan
Free food awaits those who finish “Spicy Mapo Tofu of Hell,” but it isn’t easy
Japanese netizen goes ham for hanami with supersized dango and we live for it【Photos】
Beautiful photos of the isekai-looking mountain that’s one of the Tokyo area’s best day-trips
Six types of Japanese people you’ll meet while living in Japan — An illustrated guide
Japanese anime commercial plays out like an epic neo-Tokyo adventure 【Video】
Daiso sells “emergency shelters,” and they have an amazing visual trick【Photos】
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
Aichi man arrested again after having slashed over 1,000 women’s tires to get to know them better
Weekly
Why do kids in Japan use those large leathery “randoseru” school bags?
Line up in the hall, open your shirts, show your bras – Real instructions from one Japanese school
Amazing photos of off-the-beaten-path Japanese castles to add to your travel wish list【Photos】
AKB48 signs removed from exterior of AKB48 Theater building in Akihabara
Studio Ghibli producer makes bombshell anime revelations during online Q&A
Teacher’s heartwarming message helps student pursue art dream
Man fights giant crab statue on streets of Osaka, becomes city’s most hated criminal【Video】
Japanese man arrested for stealing women’s shoes and replacing them with new ones
In Japan, you can now earn money for turning your car into an anime itasha
World’s second-oldest hotel offers new self-service stays to cope during pandemic
Monthly
With 3DS repair service ending, Nintendo once again shows its god-tier customer service【Photos】
Travelers entering Japan will have to install location confirmation app, Skype on smartphones
Some of Japan’s most iconic vending machines will soon be no more
7-Eleven to build 7-Eleven in parking lot of another 7-Eleven- Why do kids in Japan use those large leathery “randoseru” school bags?
Japanese school lunch noodles fried so hard that children and teachers chip teeth, go to hospital
Here’s why you should be careful when buying a coffee cup from Japan’s 100 yen stores
Cup Noodle Pro is Nissin’s latest way to up its instant ramen game
The best and worst Japanese food for foreigners- Line up in the hall, open your shirts, show your bras – Real instructions from one Japanese school
Yearly
Nintendo puts out important notice for casual gamers who’ve bought a Switch during the pandemic
Studio Ghibli releases 400 images from eight movies free to download online
Customers race to Uniqlo for new summer face masks, but are they really worth the hype?
A Pokémon glitch no one discovered in 18 years has been found…by a pet fish in Japan?!?【Videos】
Parasite movie releases free official wallpapers to download as backgrounds for video calls
Taiwanese pianist adds busty cosplay to her performance, instantly gets five million views【Videos】
Studio Ghibli releases free wallpapers to download and use as backgrounds for video calls
Man sheds half his body weight, looks like a handsome model in just one year
Akihabara saying goodbye to landmark as giant Sega arcade announces it’s closing for good
Top 10 anime women with biggest, most impactful breasts, voted by thousands of Japanese netizens
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Six types of Japanese people you’ll meet while living in Japan — An illustrated guide
Japanese anime commercial plays out like an epic neo-Tokyo adventure 【Video】
Daiso sells “emergency shelters,” and they have an amazing visual trick【Photos】
How should you respond when a Japanese person gives you a compliment?
Aichi man arrested again after having slashed over 1,000 women’s tires to get to know them better
City Councilman Super Crazy Kun’s election victory ruled invalid by commission
Our Japanese language reporter visits a manga shop in Spain, learns a lesson about manga fandom
Ghibli Park unveils new real-life Howl’s Moving Castle!
Fanta Socata!? Now available exclusively from Japanese vending machines
For all chip lovers around the world! This is the ultimate ranking of potato chips in Japan
Girls’ feet-flavor fried chicken now on sale in Tokyo, promises smell, stickiness of real thing
11 different ways to say “father” in Japanese
What does “Konnichiwa” really mean? Understanding Japanese greetings
-
