Top 5 Coolest Things Started in Japan
MsMojo, List, Top 10, Top 5, Top X, Facts, Viral, 10 most, countdown, YouTube, Japan, Trends, Cool, Capsule Hotels, Vending Machines, umbrellas, bikes, technology, Asia, inventions,Top 5 Coolest Things Started in Japan
There is a lot to thank Japan for: beautiful art, amazing technological advances, Sailor Moon! But were you aware of any of these innovations? Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 5 Coolest Things Started in Japan.
For this list, we’re looking at unique items and concepts from the Land of the Rising Sun. Some of these things may not have been explicitly invented in Japan, but certainly were popularized there. Others are still so cutting edge that little information is available, but serve as proof of Japan’s pioneering creative spirit.
#5: Parking Lots for Bikes
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!#4: Super or Full-Body Umbrellas
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.#3: Crazy-Themed Restaurants / Cafés
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?#2: Vending Machines for Everything
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).#1: Capsule Hotels
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.Have an idea you want to see made into a WatchMojo video? Check out our suggest page and submit your idea.
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