Japanese Mini Erasers – “We Rub Japan”

“Collectible Erasers” sounds like an oxymoron to most people outside Japan, but in the Land of The Rising Sun (or Rising Fun in this case) these are hot collectibles for those who are in and out of school. They are literally too cool for school.

Take a look at the above dimsum set for example. The fine detailing extends to individual grains of fried rice and four sets of chopsticks!

The sushi, snack food and cake erasers have to be seen to be believed. They look so good you’ll be tempted to take a bite, so don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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9h Capsule Hotel by Design Studio S

I, for one, welcome our capsule overlords

When in Japan, you absolutely have to set aside time (say, about 9 hours) to have this particular unique experience at least once.

No, I’m not talking about buying used girls underwear from a vending machine – I’m talking about staying overnight at a capsule hotel.

Three years in the making, the 9h Capsule Hotel (designed by Design Studio S) is named that because you’re supposed to only stay there nine hours, and each room is so small you can’t even stand up in it. That’s right: it’s a capsule.

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Scope Node Mouse, For Those Ultra-Sensitive Applications

One thing you have to love about Japan is the way its manga/anime culture permeates into normal everyday life. From the life-sized Gundam in Odaiba to the futuristic Himiko watercraft in Tokyo Bay (we’ll look at both of these soon), you can’t help but be bombarded with anime-inspired paraphernalia everywhere you go.

Take this computer mouse by Elecom for example. It has styling and design cues straight from the pages of “Ghost in the Shell” or “Metal Gear Solid“. But it’s all not just style and no substance.

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