The Japanese are known for innovation with a focus on helping enhance day-to-day life for their citizens. From improving parking lots to helping you nap during work, it seems there is a product for everything!
©awesomeinventions / Twitter.com
And they tend to work better than most things we have in the west! Scroll down below to read about everyday Japanese household items that feel like they belong in the future, thanks to their simple practicality and ease.
Head Support
For $40, you can purchase this slightly creepy yet efficient device called a “Head Support” from any local Japanese store. While it might seem bizarre at first glance, much like many of the products in this list, it is secretly practical.
Head Support @biddlybop / Twitter.com
The hand is meant to be every commuter’s best friend. It universally attaches to chairs and provides a rest for your head, so you can take a nap while avoiding that weird crick in your neck one gets when resting your head at an uncomfortable angle.
Face Trainer
Plastic surgery is made relatively easy in the west, but in Japanese culture, the idea of exercise is heavily promoted. Various tools usually aid these workouts to help people feel their best before going under the knife.
Face Trainer @DEJAPAN_Global
And nothing explains this concept better than the $37 face trainer. You can buy one from any local store, from groceries to pharmacies. You are meant to grip the device with your teeth which helps strengthen your facial muscles and prevents skin from sagging and aging. While the results aren’t scientifically backed, most locals are convinced that this simple device works better than surgery!
Translating Smart Mask
In recent years, wearing a mask has become commonplace, but this is only a new concept for the west, as most people in Japan have been wearing surgical masks for decades. It’s not only used as a hygiene device but also can be a fashion accessory.
Translating Smart Mask @Sharjah24 News
But recent updates to the mask have birthed this new device, allowing the wearer’s words to be translated into eight different languages! While it costs $265,000 to make each mask, retailers will sell it for only $50. It hasn’t hit the local markets yet, but initial reviews have been overwhelmingly positive.
Umbrella Locks
While most westerners are still impressed by cities with bike stands with built-in locks, Japanese locals are accustomed to not only that but also these ingenious umbrella stands with integrated locks.
@YYC_Svetlana / Twitter.com
The stands in most significant malls allow customers to roam around without having to lug around a clunky umbrella. And, of course, the locks ensure that it is waiting for them safely and soundly when they return. But the best part, this invention is entirely free to use!
Remote Control Mop
Of all the many house chores needed to ensure a well-functioning home, mopping has to be our least favorite, but for just $87.53, most Japanese homes make this grueling task a fun activity using technology.
@wiseshoppinginf
Considered the Roomba of mopping, this device is remote-controlled and lets you clean up spills from the comfort of the couch. While it isn’t meant to mop your entire home, it is excellent for cleaning up those accidental messes without having to get out a big mop and bucket.
Burger Eating Napkin Shield
Despite having delicious and diverse local cuisine, American fast food is a favorite for Japanese teenagers and young adults. But of course, there really is no elegant way to eat a big juicy burger.. until now.
Burger Eating Napkin Shield @Heidi Autio
Most burgers, whether fast food place or gourmet, come with a “Napkin Sheild” these shields act as a way of maintaining “Ochobo,” a tradition in Japan that is considered polite to cover one’s mouth while eating in public. Since launching the napkins, burger sales have increased 213% with women!
Silent Karaoke
Karaoke is a staple Japanese pastime, and while the western world has happily adopted it, they haven’t learned to understand some of the nuisances. For example, most Japanese people use a “silent karaoke mic” to train themselves before going out.
@lakey / Twitter.com
The device retails for 81 dollars and allows the singer to practice their notes while reducing 70% of the audible noise. So, you can belt your favorite track without disturbing the neighbors and make sure you don’t make a fool of yourself at your next Karaoke session.
Mini Washing Machine
In major cities in Japan, you are likely to encounter daily dust and grime, but the local culture demands a new level of cleanliness. The idea of a mini washing machine was born to mitigate all of this.
@jalantikus / Pinterest.com
The 47-dollar device is powered by a USB cord and can wash everyday items like your watches, glasses, and other tiny gadgets. This saves the daily struggle of hand-cleaning these delicate items conveniently and efficiently.
Robotic Dinosaurs
This one has made its way into the Guinness World Record for being one of a kind.
At the Henn-na Hotel, located in suburban Tokyo’s Urayasu, guests are checked in and greeted by impressive employees.
@TravelMagazine / Twitter.comRobotic
Yes, the hotel’s front desk is staffed by robotic dinosaurs capable of welcoming guests. This, of course, saves the hotel on employee costs and adds a quirky element to the establishment, luring in more guests than usual. However, we question how helpful these dinosaurs are compared to people.
Rain Indicator
This picture has circulated the web for decades; In contrast, millions have been impressed by its simple yet effective design, but all of them didn’t know that this indicator is commonplace in Japan and was invented in the country.
©awesomeinventions / Twitter.com
A necessity for Japanese locals, much like the umbrella locker, since the country experiences one of the highest rainfall levels in the world. The annual rainfall is nearly five feet per year. This straightforward invention, usually seen in elevators, lets people know the weather outside so they can best prepare themselves.
Bath Pillow/Smartphone Holder
For $37, Japanese inventors managed to create an item that provides both comfort for its users and protection for electronic devices. While having a bath tray is common in most countries, this one comes up with an updated design.
@RandomGoodStuff / Twitter.com
It is created with a built-in waterproof pillow, which allows the user to enjoy reading a book on their phone without having to worry about splashing their device. Also, it comes with an attached “arm” that even holds your phone at a comfortable eye level, so users can fully relax.
Japanese Scream Jar
We all have days when we want to blow off some steam, and while most countries recommend the tried and tested method of buttoning your emotions, the Japanese think very differently.
@John P. McCartney / Pinterest.com
Known as the very straightforward “Scream Jar,” this item is specifically made for anyone who wants to scream as a primal stress relief. In addition, the thing is entirely soundproof; all anyone will hear is just a tiny whisper.
Dog Grooming Models
In most countries, dog grooming is a practical way to ensure your pet stays comfortable throughout the changing seasons. But in Japan, the concept has been upgraded, much like everything else.
@japantrendsinc / Twitter.com
You won’t need to pay a lot; most places cost 50 dollars or visit a fancy dog grooming place to give your pup an intricate cut. In Japan, grooming your dog’s hair into geometric shapes, such as cubes, trapezoids, or parallelograms, is very common. Some places might also dye your pet in bright colors, though we disapprove of this practice.
Walking Fridge
Most fridges designed for the western world by Panasonic are stainless steel and feature all the basics, but their market in Japan is very different. Costing $5,000, customers can enjoy the Panasonic Moving Fridge, which comes with a LIDAR built-in.
@Phonandroid / Youtube.com
The fridge uses light detection/depth sensors to come to you rather than the other way around. It is intended for older adults or those with mobility issues, but anyone can use it. While it is expensive for being only a mini-fridge, it is a game changer.
Muscle Shirt
While women have many ways to make them feel their best, men rarely have any options. And while this might look silly at first glance but when used properly, this simple layering item can help boost self-confidence in men in minutes.
Muscle Shirt @Melna Ibach
We wouldn’t recommend that you wear this shirt every single day but worn underneath a suit for a special event, much like how Spanx is used for women, creating a classic masculine shape. The shirt has pads in the pecs, arms, back, and shoulder regions and retails for around $179 and is commonly sold in all suit shops in Japan.
Selfie Stick With Integrated Mic
The selfie stick is seen all around the globe, much to our dismay, but despite having a bad image, you can’t question the practicality of the item. And, of course, in Japan, the product has been tweaked to perfection.
@JD Williams / Pinterest.com
Called The SelfieMic, this product is mixed with the benefits of a selfie stick with a microphone making filming easier. The easy-to-use device is a favorite amongst teenagers and a must-have for TikTokers.
Nose Straightener
While beauty standards worldwide are specific, the emphasis on them is extreme in Japan. That is why you will find many gadgets and gizmos in every store in Japan, doesn’t matter if you are shopping for groceries or beauty products.
@Teresa Jackson | SofiaGottei / Pinterest.com
This Hana Tsun Nose Straightener features a silicon clip that claims to straighten the bones of your nose over time. While we don’t believe in its efficiency, we can say that this product and more like it are top-rated in Japan.
Ramen Blanket
It is a well-known fact that ramen is well-loved in Japan, but one Canadian company managed to create a new niche in Japan by creating thick blankets printed with popular ramen brands.
@justtakemymoney / Twitter
Marketed mainly in Japan, the blankets sell out in minutes and have become a must-have item for every ramen lover. While this isn’t innovative per se, as the blanket acts much like the rest, we particularly love the unique marketing.
Baby Cleaning Onesie
While the western world is focused on swaddling your baby and not letting them out of your sight for one minute, Japanese parents use theirs to contribute to the housework, thanks to the Baby Cleaning Onesie.
©Baby Mop/amazon
Often called “The Baby Mop,” the onesie is made with soft material designed to clean floors, and of course, when you add a crawling baby to the mix, you have a clean home and a happy baby who gets to roam around free! While you can find the product on Amazon, its main consumer base is Japan.
Multi-level Parking Spots
It’s not as if multi-parking doesn’t exist in the west. Still, in an attempt to modernize the classic layout of parking lots, Japan created a fully automated parking system with over 1.6 million scattered around the country.
Multi-level Parking Spots @Daniel Lo
With multi-level parking, cars are stacked vertically, saving precious space. And when the owner wants their car back, they insert their tickets, and a conveyer belt lowers the vehicle to the ground. Unfortunately, while space-saving and innovative, in 2012, 10 people lost their lives in these parking spots!