We love Japan, and this is where we show it. From gadgets to toys, live-action to anime, hillsides to cities and cars to architecture, JHYPE loves it all.
So summer is upon us (or already with us, depending where you are located) and you are running out of ideas as to how you can enjoy the great outdoors a little bit more?
Fear not, Jhypers. Here comes the Marugoto Tamachan [JP], a watermelon cooler and heater. That’s right, the machine doesn’t just cool watermelons, but for some reason it can also heat them up. And it’s portable, too. Japan, you have done it again.
Maker Joybond says the heating feature can be useful for keeping other stuff warm, too, for example beverages or food. The Marugoto Tamachan holds 14l and is sized at 50.2×35.4×39.2cm (weight: 6.3kg). Needless to say, the device is available in Japan only (price: $230). However, if you are REALLY desperate for one, Geek Stuff 4 U can procure and ship it to your doorstep.
Have USD$3400 lying around? Feel the utmost urge to blow the cash on something completely stupid, yet uber cool? Not sure what to do with all that family inheritance? Neighbours next door just bought a new car and you need to keep up? Need a big toy to keep your 1:1 scale MGS Solid Snake company? Wonder no more as Bandai unveiled the Hyper Hybrid Model RX-78-2 GUNDAM for sale.
It’s a 1/12 scale version of the RX-78-2 Gundam and based on another 1/12 Gundam model Bandai introduced in 2006. Bandai said that the older model sold a solid 1,500 units, which begs the question – Where do these mad cashed up people come from? The new replica will be shipped with a beam rifle, a beam saber, and a shield. Completely bonkers, completely Japanese, we love it.
Let’s face it, clipping your toenails isn’t quite up there at your list of “things that I like to do at my free time”. It’s a chore, just like ironing your shirt and sorting your socks. Trust the Japanese to come up with the quick and easy solution to our toenail woes. Seriously, what would we do without you?
So that’s what the Kai Group just did. They look at the way we cut our toenails and reverse engineer the humble toenail clipper. More info and pictures after the jump.
Japan, it’s the one magical word that will conjure up endless images of beautiful natural sceneries, neons, advanced technologies, geishas, kimono, kabuki, sumo, anime, idols, sushi and much much more.
Now take that image, add gold and chrome (lots of it), awnings, baffles, pipes, yet more neons, wings … and blend all of it into a massive truck. Welcome to the world of Dekotora!
Dekotora or Decotora (デコトラ, dekotora) is the local abbreviation for “Decoration Truck”. They are sometimes known as the Art Trucks [(アートトラック),ātotorakku] too. The truckers of Japan love to decorate their trucks with shiny stainless or golden exterior parts, beautifully painted landscapes, kabuki or manga characters,or pictures of celebrities. At night, their fluorescent handiwork come to life with colourful and bold neon and ultraviolet light displays. These decorations usually adorn the cab as well as the trailer, on the exterior as well as in the interior.
So let’s not waste time and explore the world of Dekotora!
Ladies, are you overly shy? Can’t get up the nerve to talk to that cute guy in your building? Hurtin’ bad after a break-up? If so, order Miterudake For Lady a self-help DVD that helps shy women gain (or regain) their social savvy.
“Miterudake” means “only looking” in Japanese and that’s just what this curious and kinda creepy DVD is all about: 51 young men staring into the camera lens for about a minute each, ending with a quick smile and a reassuring phrase.
Who would watch such a thing, you might ask? According to Avex, the manufacturer, Miterudake For Lady is aimed at the woman whose “heart was almost broken at love and interpersonal relationships.” Obviously chocolate and ice-cream do not work in Japan.
More after the jump. Including Miterudake for Men! (you know you want it, boys).
It was only ever a matter of time before the catwalks (you see what I did there) were dominated by real cats.
Well, Japanese fashion house United Bamboo has begun seriously designing for cats.
To kick it off, United Bamboo has created a line of ready-to-wear (haute CAToure?) items for cats, designed to match their women’s fashions for the Fall and Winter season 2009 – 2010.
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