18 Genius Inventions That Still Exist Only in Japan

Japan is well known for its inventions. Some of them are weird, others are genius, while still others are somewhere in between. Just remember the selfie stick that so many laughed at only a couple of years ago!

We at FunnyModo have found some of the most ingenious Japanese inventions that make life easier and more comfortable. We can’t wait for them to come to other countries as well! Can you?

Turning train seats

If you don’t like sitting with your back in the direction of travel, you can just turn your seat to whichever side you want.

A motorcycle helmet with a ponytail hole

This is how motorcycle helmet manufacturers care about ladies. It’s such a trifle, yet a pleasant one.

A place to seat a baby in a public bathroom

All parents dream of such a thing: it’s a special place where you can seat your baby while you’re doing your business. If it’s just the two of you, it’s dangerous to leave the baby alone outside and uncomfortable to take them in with you.

A cafe for lonely hearts

If you feel awkward sitting alone in a cafe, this is an option for you: when you come without any company, the staff will place a soft toy in front of you. Now you’re not alone.

Diagonal crossings

A lot of us would give much to have diagonal road crossings. In Tokyo, however, it’s entirely possible — they even have corresponding zebras.

A tablet holder

Your hands will always be free — perfect for watching movies.

Sunglasses for dogs

This invention seems strange at first, but then you realize dogs may not like bright sunlight, just like us. And the considerate Japanese thought about it.

A “silent” karaoke microphone

If you don’t want to bother others with your singing or are just too shy to sing out loud, this mic will help you out: it muffles your voice so only you can hear it.

Separate slippers for the bathroom

You’ll see such slippers in every home. The Japanese consider their bathroom the dirtiest place in their house, even if it’s clean. They can’t enter it in the same footwear they walk around the rest of the house in. Just think about it.

A cushion for lying down and working

When you work at your laptop lying on your stomach, your hands get tired very quickly. That’s why there’s now this holder.

The owner’s last name instead of a number on the building

Finding a house in Japan by its address is a real test. Most streets here don’t have names, and house numbers are based on the date of their being built. That’s why you can often see a plaque with the house owner’s name. Very convenient.

A water-saving sink over the toilet supply tank

A dream for those who care about water saving and ecology. The supply tank gathers water from the sink when it’s used to wash hands, making you utilize it twice.

Automated stores

Japan is a country of robots and automated machines that replace people everywhere they can. For instance, this shop only uses the cheapest card payment machine and robots to sell their goods. A paradise for introverts where you don’t need to talk to anyone!

A hotel where a robot dinosaur will check you in

This hotel went even further and made a robotic clerk. A robo dinosaur in a cute hat.

A napkin that covers your face when you eat burgers

To eat a huge burger, you have to open your mouth widely. The Japanese are embarrassed by this, as many people are, and thus rarely order burgers. The owners of one fast food restaurant took note of this and started putting their burgers into napkins that conceal your chewing face from the rest of the world.

A transforming tatami

It’s a tradition in Japan to do everything on the floor: eat, sleep, watch movies. That’s why they designed a mat that you can transform into a laptop holder and a lot more.

An umbrella “parking lot”

You can find these “parking lots” next to many office buildings. A considerate solution: you don’t need to take your umbrella with you and think of where to put it.

Easy-to-open cans

Unlike the cans we’re used to, these ones have a special ring that makes them easy to open. It’s so cool when manufacturers think of even such small details!

Preview photo credit bolubantat, levik/livejournal