Quirky Inventions You Can Only Find In Japan

Japan is a special country with a population of 126 million people or roughly 1.62% of the global population. Despite that relatively small number, the country manages to be a big player on the world stage – largely due to their development of innovative technology.

The “smart mask” – or, to be more precise, C-Face Smart Mask – seen below translates what a person says into eight languages. It solves the problem of not being able to communicate because of a language barrier.

Freshness Burger is a popular Japanese food chain that serves American-style burgers. However, they had a problem – only men were ordering the burgers. That’s because the concept of “Ochobo”, or covering your mouth in public, makes it difficult for women to enjoy a messy meal. 

Instead of bending your hand out of shape when supporting your head for a nap, why not use a mechanical arm? The robotic-looking hand below attaches to an armchair or desk and provides a flexible form of support for those who are overworked and underslept (in other words, most of us).

Did you ever feel that you’d rather speak to a dinosaur at check-in rather than a human? If so, then these robotic dinosaurs at the Henn-na Hotel in Tokyo are just your cup of tea (or sake).

The cat hat vending machine picture below is exactly what it sounds like – a vending machine filled with hats for cats. A match made in heaven for cat-lovers everywhere (but mostly in Japan). Rather than searching through pet stores for tiny hats, these convenient vending machines bring them to you in a variety of colors and styles.

We’re all familiar with bike locks. You thread them through the wheel and attach them to something stable so your bike doesn’t get stolen. It works like a charm. Well, in a typical thoughtful fashion, Japan decided to apply the same idea to umbrellas.

Turtles are slow creatures – much too slow for our fast-paced world. However, that doesn’t mean we should abandon them. That sentiment motivated Japanese railway engineers to come up with special turtle tunnels that allow the turtles to safely cross the tracks without getting squashed.

Have you ever wanted to belt out your favorite songs but were afraid of disturbing the neighbors? If so, then you’re not alone. Luckily, the Prodiea company developed a special funnel microphone that muffles noise by up to 70%. 

Most of the time, you have to visit a fast-food restaurant to get fast food. However, in Japan, fast food comes to you. As you can see below, Japan has driverless KFC trucks that go up and down the sidewalk in search of hungry customers. 

Have you ever wanted your nose to be a little bit straighter? If shelling out thousands of dollars for surgery is too much for you, then the Hana Tsun Nose Straightener might be a perfect solution. It’s meant to be worn for 20 minutes each day.

Have you ever felt that you didn’t have enough humanoid robots in your life? If so, then SoftBank has you covered. In 2014, the company unleashed “Pepper” onto the world. It is the “world’s first social humanoid robot able to recognize faces and basic human emotions.”

The cute little pink bears below are not actual bears – they’re barricades (or bear-acades if you enjoy puns). Japanese creatives have mastered the art of making cute cartoons – Hello Kitty, Pokemon, etc. – so it’s only natural that they would transfer that skill to the realm of urban design.​​

Not all people are fans of the traditional watermelon shape. Instead, they want something a bit more symmetrical. If you’re in Japan, then you’re in luck because they have square watermelons.

Have you ever thought, “I’d like to have a drone next time I go into outer space?” If so, then the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency made a product that’s just for you. The JEM Internal Ball that floats in zero-gravity solves all your space-faring selfie needs.

One of the reasons that Japan is so safe is the fact that they put in a lot of safety measures. As we saw from the umbrella locks previously, Japanese people figure out ways to ensure that their things don’t get stolen.

A long bath is a fantastic way to unwind while getting clean. That being said, sometimes a bath can get boring. Rather than leaving early, why not bring in a smartphone to scroll through some articles or watch a few videos? 

Many people require eye medication. The problem is they have poor hand-eye coordination (or they’re uncomfortable with putting liquids in their eyes). Luckily, way back in 1991, the Japanese company Topcon came up with a solution to the problem – the eyedrop glasses.

The cleaning mop below doesn’t require a person to physically move it across the floor. Instead, the mop is remotely attached to a video game controller that can move it up, down, left, and right. Kyosho, the company that sells it, describes it as a way to “mop without mopping.”

The problem with eating noodles while having long hair is that the noodle juice splashes up and gets caught in your lovely locks. One option is to use a napkin or handkerchief to help you clean up after the fact. Another option is to prevent the problem in the first place by using a splash protector. 

At Dawn Cafe in Japan, your coffee or tea will be brought to you by a robot –  a very special robot. Why are the robots special? The sleep futuristic-looking robots are controlled by paralyzed people. 

The farmer artists of Inakadate village create a truly unique rice art experience for five months out of the year. As you can see from the image below, they transform their rice paddies into massive works of art. Impressive!

Moominvalley Park is a theme park dedicated to The Moomins. For those unfamiliar with Moomins, they’re hippo creatures that sprang from the mind of author Tove Jansson. The park lies in the Saitama Prefecture of Japan.

The multi-level parking spots below allow cars to be stacked vertically as if on a conveyer belt (or Ferris wheel). Rather than clearing out a huge area for horizontal parking spaces, this automated parking system allows a corporation (and an urban center) to save space.

At the Kyoto Aquarium, the staff decided to create a soap opera for penguins. We wholeheartedly applaud their effort! The immaculate chart below tells visitors about the love lives of the zoo penguins. All the crushes and heartbreaks and melodramas in one place.

Have you ever felt that your facial muscles were too loose? If so, then the face trainers below might be a perfect solution to your facial muscle woes. The devices are placed in between your lips so they can strengthen jaw and mouth muscles.

The blanket and pillow combo below is designed to resemble various kinds of Ramen noodles – everything from chicken to shrimp to beef. It’s a perfect themed set for those who love Ramen.

This story is both sad and uplifting. The phone booth below isn’t connected to any working phone line. Instead, it’s connected to people in the afterlife – it’s a so-called “telephone of the wind.”

Japan is high up on the list of environmentally-friendly countries. Perhaps it has to do with so many people living on a relatively small island – they have had to figure out ways to respect the limits of nature and not waste things unnecessarily.

Have you ever thought that you were looking at your phone too much? Many of us have the same problem. Luckily, the Japanese company Fun’iki set about solving it. They came up with a special pair of eyeglasses that connect to your phone.

The problem with building muscles is that it takes too much work – you have to hit the gym on a regular basis, chug those protein shakes, and watch what you eat. Some people just don’t have the time for all that. Luckily, an innovative clothes company created the Danrich Muscle Shirt.

Have you ever thought that your baby was a bit too lazy? Like it was about time that he or she started helping out around the house? If so, then the Baby Cleaning Onesie is a perfect solution. Simply dress up your baby in the cute onesie below, and as they crawl around the floor, the floor gets cleaned!

Have you ever thought that you needed to belt out a tune while taking a selfie? If you have, then this SelfieMic is a perfect gift. As you might imagine from the name (and the picture below), it’s a combination selfie stick and microphone. 

Japan is no stranger to rain – hence the umbrellas locks featured earlier in our article. Another invention that seeks to help people deal with rainfall are the special rain indicators seen below.

Rather than you walking over to the fridge, the fridge below walks over to you. Although it sounds like sci-fi fantasy, it’s actually a technological fact. Panasonic released the Japanese Walking Fridge in 2017 for a cool $5,000. ​

It rains a lot in Japan. This has led to a lot of rain-centric inventions like umbrella locks in stores and rain indicators in elevators. It’s time to add color-changing umbrellas to that list.

Have you ever felt that your watch, jewelry, or other small gadgets were a bit too dirty? Using a paper towel or a sanitized napkin is one way to get off those scuff marks and grease stains. Another is to dip the gadgets into a mini washing machine.

Despite only having 1.7% of the world’s population, Japan has consistently managed to create innovative new technologies that shape science, medicine, and consumer markets. Perhaps this is because the country spends a lot on education and emphasizes math and science.

The problem with toes is that they get too close to each other. Just like yoga is great for stretching the body in general, the Genki-kun Toe Stretcher below is great for stretching the toes in particular. You’d be surprised at how much stress gets transferred to our toes.

As we saw with the baby onesie earlier, Japan has an interest in practical fashion – clothes that allow you to do something. The mop shoes below are a great example of that. All you have to do is place the covers over your shoes and start walking through the house. 

The problem with lying on your side watching the television is that only one ear can hear the sounds. The other one, usually, is covered by your hand or a pillow. To fix this annoyance, the company FUJIPACKS created a cube-shaped pillow that allows you to hear. 

Sometimes umbrellas are just too much of a pain to hold. When it’s pouring down rain or you’re strolling beneath harsh sunlight, it can be annoying to keep a hold on the umbrella handle. One way to fix that is to invest (only $5) into the umbrella hat shown below.

Although everyone makes a few noises while going to the bathroom, not everyone is comfortable with those noises – especially if others are nearby. This is especially true for some Japanese women sharing small apartments.

Have you ever felt that you wanted to let out a massive scream but were afraid to wake (or scare) the neighbors? If so, then you may want to try out the Banraishop Scream Jar Voice Silencer below. It’s a perfect way to relieve some stress in a safe way.

Have you ever felt that your speakers didn’t hug you enough? Or, perhaps, that you wanted your boyfriend to be a pair of speakers? If so, then the invention below is right up your alley.

Have you ever wanted to apply lipstick but decided not to because you were afraid it would get all over your face? Although it might sound weird, putting on lipstick is a skill that takes time to perfect.

We all know pet owners who love their pets more than anything. Although cute and endearing, some of them go overboard. If you need an example of what that looks like, then take a look at the picture below.

People have been wearing face masks in Japan long before the pandemic made it common. That means they’ve had plenty of time to tweak the design. Sometimes it’s practical, other times it’s fun and quirky. The USB Cat Mask is an example of the latter. 

Going out to eat when you’re alone (especially when you’re alone and an introvert) can be an uncomfortable experience. Often, other customers or the wait staff can give you sad eyes and wonder why you’re alone. In Japan, however, restaurants are fine with people coming in by themselves.

Have you ever burned yourself trying to carry a hot box of pizza? If you’ve ordered pizza enough, then your answer is probably yes. Despite the pizza being piping hot, we don’t think twice about placing our hand under the box and carrying it away.

When the food arrives, and your stomach has been rumbling it can be mighty hard to resist digging in. But when the ramen is piping hot you don’t really have much of a choice to either wait or use your precious air blowing on it to cool off.

If you’re looking to skip the extra dishes and also want to be extra efficient at buttering your toast, look no further. We present to you a butter stick.

With springtime comes a shedding of winter fashions and an abundance of allergies. Feed two birds with one scone and invest in toilet paper hat.

Speaking of strange things on your head, why not get a panoramic view with your photos? I’m looking at you Instagram junkies, bloggers, and just general fun people.

This invention allows you to get full coverage while also keeping track of where you walk. It rains a lot in Japan, so it makes sense why they want to continue coming up with so many new ideas to stay dry.

It’s no surprise that the clever minds of Japan have made a ridiculous amount of umbrella inventions. And Japanese culture loves fashion, so why not combine the two! If you’re feeling skeptical about whether or not there will be rain, why not stay prepared?

If you’re the type to be prepared in all scenarios, this Japanese invention is for you. A person can carry an entire purse worth of items, for example a utility knife, band aids, antibacterial wipes, you name it!

If you’re walking around, you may as well be tidying up too, right?  We don’t know. Frankly, these do seem slightly impractical, but entertaining, nonetheless.

If you find yourself not able to commit to the toilet paper hat, then perhaps this fashionable pair of fan glasses are good for you. If you find yourself constantly trying to hide your tears from friends, family, and co-workers, maybe give these a try.

This invention is all around ridiculous, no doubt about it. If you find yourself unable to stop staring or have trouble closing your eyes (?) why not invest in some glasses that will eliminate your ability to see the outside world.

When we see this, it is hard to see this as something that makes life easier for the average adult. However, what if you used this on the reluctant little one? Shoving a toothbrush into a toddler’s mouth is nearly always a struggle, this may help.

If you find your head rolling about on your daily commute aboard the public transportation, this plunger-type hat might be the right solution if you’re sitting down. For the standing option, there is a jaw cradling hammock option.

If you’ve ever wanted the warmth of a partner without the hassle, this Japanese invention would be right up your alley. Lay your head down and rest with this arm and shoulder pillow that offers all the sweetness of a cuddle without having to worry about bad breath in the morning

This invention speaks for itself if you’re one of the sleepy ones. Imagine you’re out on the town, strolling through the park, and suddenly become fatigued and want to stop to take a rest.

In the same league as the nose straightener, this strange looking contraption is meant to decrease wrinkles and tone the face. It is quite aesthetically…strange, but its purpose seems meant to improve self-esteem.

The photo speaks for itself in this Japanese invention. The giant bowls attached to the ears is for hearing one’s surroundings. If someone was curious what those behind or ahead of them are chatting about, throw on this Dumbo-esque bowls and get an earful.

This tool is slightly terrifying but meant to be time saving. Why cut only one nail at once when you can cut five? Something to think about.

This is for the environmentally friendly multi-tasker. By mounting a miniature washing machine on your legs, you’re able to both get a nice stroll in while cleaning your smaller clothing items.

Skip the lines at Victoria’s Secret and learn about Japan’s. This vending machine sells women’s intimates like it’s a Coca Cola. Maybe you forgot to strap on your portable leg washing machine and all your clothes are dirty.

This invention might look kind of cool, but the risk and reward factors need to be measured. Imagine carelessly resting your hand on your face and accidentally hurting yourself.

A cousin of the boyfriend pillow, these thigh pillows are plush and robust and the ideal place to take a nap. We would recommend storing them somewhere else when your guests come over, as it may make them feel a bit squeamish.