Top 5 Coolest Things Started in Japan

In Japan, bicycles are an extremely common form of transportation. With an incredibly efficient and well-connected train and bus system linking almost every community – be it town, city, or quaint village – public transport can likely get you there. However, for those staying closer to home, there is nothing more convenient than the old bicycle. With so many people riding bikes everyday, the average bike-bar set-up just can’t handle the volume. Therefore, bikes have their own lots, even their own underground garages! Some can hold hundreds of bikes. Others are true technological wonders. And with the latter, you won’t have to remember where you parked!

No one likes to get caught in the rain – or worse, a downpour. When it’s coming down like cats and dogs, the standard umbrella simply does not cut it. If you’re lucky… you’ll manage to keep your hair dry. Fortunately, in Japan, there’s hope… the Super Umbrella. It may look a little odd, but let’s forget about appearances and think practically for once - this is a great idea! Although other variations have been spotted around the country, this bubble-girl is the standout model. Gone are the days of dreading a side-ways rain! No word yet, however, on where you can get one for yourself… or how they would fare in the wind.

Ever wanted to dine with penguins? How about robots? Theme restaurants and cafés of all sorts abound in Japan. Although mostly found in the major metropolitan cities, you can usually find a creative place to dine even in the smaller cities. From the aggressively adorable maid cafes of Tokyo (with waitresses in French maid uniforms) to horrifying Alcatraz ER restaurant (where nurses serve food and beverages in severed heads and syringes) to the more light-hearted themed restaurants (featuring animals and – er – toilets), it’s not hard to find a unique and memorable eating experience to suit all manner of tastes. What have you got to lose, except for, you know… your appetite?

In the west, we’re used to vending machines providing cold drinks or small packages of food. In Japan, the range is a little more extensive. In the summer, you can order a cold bottle of green tea, large beer, small sake, or a wild assortment of Pepsi varieties (baobab-flavored Pepsi, anyone?) Not to mention their many Kit Kats (although you’ll have to hit up a “konbini” for those). In the winter however... the same machines will provide cans of hot coffee, cocoa, tea, even piping hot corn chowder and boiled eggs! There are also many non-food machines that can provide clean shirts, porn and soiled underwear (hey, everyone has their kinks).

How many times have you been travelling on a budget and thought, “I just need a place to sleep!” Well, many people in Japan apparently had the same thought, so they went ahead and resolved the problem with the capsule hotel. Your experience will go something like this: after checking in, you’re assigned a key to your pod. In addition to your futon and a light, you’ll be given bathroom slippers, a robe, access to the bathhouse, a/c control and a shelf. All for anywhere between $17 and $50 American. Not bad, huh? When it’s time for bed, you pull the shade down and tuck in. While they may vary in size (some give you room to stand, others do not) and facilities, they all provide a unique experience.