Created by Keiichi Matsuda, this crazy invention will blow your mind. It’s basically a morphing table that creates a virtual version of anything that you put under its sensors, in real-time. Continue reading for a video where you “can see how it reproduces the hands moving.”
Photo credit: The Meta
Is it possible for a gadget to be useful and too weir to use at the same time? Well, these strange creations from Japan just might fall into both categories. They range from an umbrella necktie and lipstick mouth guard, to a wrist-worn ramen noodle cooler. Click here to view the first image in this week’s trolling gallery. Continue reading for a viral video of a New York subway signs prank.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo’s Ishikawa Oku Lab have developed an unbeatable rock-paper-scissors robot called “Janken”. This high-tech robot is able to play its hand in just 1-millisecond, and by recognizing the human player’s strategy earlier, it appears to be showing its hand at exactly the same time as its opponent. Continue reading for a video and more information.
Situated inside Japan’s Tomamu Resort, on the island of Hokkaido, the Unkai Terrace is a real-life cloud palace. Called the “unkai” (a sea of clouds), this phenomenon is caused by the natural hot springs in the area and the differences in temperature during the few hours when night turns into day, which form an immaculate white blanket of clouds over the mountainous region. In the past, very few people had the chance to see the unique effect from above, but thanks to a new gondola system, this attraction is busy year-round. Continue reading for a video and more information.
Add this to the ever growing list of strange things in Japan, like the Gundam Cafe, Gundam Hotel, and Vampire Cafe. According to Tokyo Times, Owl cafes like Fukurou no Mise (“Owl Shop”) and Tori no Iru Cafe (“The Cafe with Birds”) began gaining popularity in Japan last year, and so far, more of them have opened up in Tokyo. Some of the cafes actually allow their customers to hold the birds while they enjoy their drinks. Their menus also include owl-themed snacks. Continue reading for more pictures.
Unlike other cameras, the Neurocam purports to rate a user’s level of interest in what they are looking at and measures it on a scale of one to 100. Then, the gadget uses an advanced analytics algorithm that looks at what a wearer ‘likes’ and triggers the smartphone camera to automatically record and save five second GIF clips of scenes that are shown to be of interest to the wearer. Continue reading for a video and more information.
One reason to visit Japan is for the plethora of Hello Kitty items, like contacts for your eyes, or special edition pop culture toys, like the ones you see above. Having first appeared 36-years ago, as of 2010, Sanrio has groomed Hello Kitty into a global marketing phenomenon worth $5 billion a year. Continue reading for more funny and geeky reasons on why you should visit Japan.
Now that you’ve seen the Gundam Cafe, Gundam Hotel, and Vampire Cafe, it’s time to check out a “Smart Restaurant” in Japan. First off, there are no waiters, just cooks who prepare the food in a back kitchen and a cashier. The food itself is self-service via a conveyor belt, with a tablet-based menu for ordering. Plus, a high-speed conveyer belt delivers the higher-priced specialty dishes in no time. Continue reading for a video and more information.
Photo credit: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt / Serious Eats
While Ramen Burgers may be both an online and offline hit, this Ramen Crust Pizza might not be too far behind. For those wondering, yes, it not only looks like real pizza, but has the delicious taste to go along with the pie as well, granted with your favorite toppings. Continue reading for the instructions as well as an alternate version.
Sure, most people would be fine with a normal pillow, but sometimes, “Forever Alone” guys just need something a bit more realistic, and that’s where these strange lap pillows from Japan come in. That is just one of the many bizarre inventions that we’ve rounded up for you today. Continue reading to see them all.