“iSpoon” Ice Cream Shovel Is One Super Duper Scooper

Steve Levenstein — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:11:12 -0700

The limited edition, anodized aluminum, Icemania “iSpoon” from Japan's Akao Aluminum can handle the hardest, coldest ice cream around! Priced around $25 each, the super-duper scooper includes a custom carrying pouch ideal for those late night visits to Zyggie's Ice Cream Parlor.

Thanko's USB Neck Cooler Clamps Down On Summer Heat

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:00:01 -0700

The bad news is, Thanko's new USB Neck Cooler makes you look like a sci-fi mecha robot's grabbed you by the throat. The good news is, you'll feel a lot less hot under the collar this summer if you're wearing one.

Star Ball Soccer Ball From Perrocaliente Gives Futsal Some Star Power

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:20:15 -0700

The Star Ball, a futsal-sized soccer ball from Tokyo, Japan-based Perrocaliente, features a striking pattern of five-pointed stars and irregular nonagons designed for, er, universal appeal.

Emergency Rice “Can” Be Stored Up To Five Years

Steve Levenstein — Thu, 02 May 2013 12:58:42 -0700

Whether preparing for the apocalypse (zombie or otherwise) or merely stocking your post-Cold war bomb shelter, you'll be bowled over by soft drink can sized Emergency Rice rations from Japan. The manufacturer, CTC, designed the good-looking, no-nonsense packaging because hey – in an emergency no one has time for nonsense, amiright?

Black Cat Stockings Are Really Cute And That's No Stretch

Steve Levenstein — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:11:20 -0700

Hello kitten-knees! OK, that was bad and we feel bad, but these Black Cat Stockings from Japan are the purr-fect way to put some feline on your femurs.

Nissin's Hamburger Instant Ramen Is Two Fave Fast Foods In One Cup

Steve Levenstein — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:26:42 -0700

Product planners at Japan's Nissin Food Products Co., Ltd. thought they'd beef up boring old instant ramen by floating a hamburger on top. The result is GooTa “Demi-hamburg-men”, a clever combo sure to satisfy fast-foodies who want it all and want it now... or, like, in 5 minutes.

PEEL Lamp From Japan Adds A New Dimension To Night Lights

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:00:01 -0700

The PEEL Lamp is an innovative night light from Japanese design duo YOY. This unique electrical fixture utilizes an ultra-thin OLED light source to create the illusion of another, brighter world lurking just beyond our own.

McDonald's “Potato Holder” Fits Fries Above, Hands & Cupholders Below

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 20:10:41 -0700

Old & busted: cupholders. New crispy, salty and greasy hotness: the McDonald's fries holder! Designed to fit car, truck and bike cupholders not to mention pedestrian hands, the bright red plastic “potato holder” is available for a limited time from McDonald's Japan.

Put The Bite On A Piranha At Nara Kenko Land's Amazon Fair

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:31:24 -0700

Do you choose to chew Piranha? If so, get your appetite to the Nara Kenko Land hotel in Nara, Japan. Until May 12th, the second-floor restaurant is serving a variety of Amazon fare including Deep Fried Piranha, Amazon Catfish burgers and delicious Forest Smoothies.

Designer Mahogany Meiji Chocolate Bar Case For Candy Dandies

Steve Levenstein — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 12:00:01 -0700

The Meiji Chocolate Design Wood Case from Japanese jewelry and design house Sweet D Life isn't only a thing of beauty, it's destined to make the heartbreak of bent chocolate bars a thing of the past.

FireWood Faux Fireplace For Smartphones Adds Heat To The Beat

Steve Levenstein — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 20:42:56 -0700

Have smartphone and fireplace, will travel! The FireWood portable personal fireplace runs off your smartphone, adjusts its light when blown on and pulsates to the beat of music played on your phone or MP3 player.

Remote Control "Sugoi Mop" From Japan Turns Gamers Into Cleaners

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 13:03:36 -0700

The remote control “Sugoi Mop” from Japan's Kyosho Egg combines the best features of an old-fashioned floor sweeper and an r/c racing car. It might not be the best mop around but at least it'll help lazy gamers get with the program.

Smart Beam Projector Screens Video Content For All To See

Steve Levenstein — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 12:17:47 -0700

The ultra-lightweight Smart Beam projector from Taro Matsumura of VIVA Japan is one part old-fashioned movie projector and one part Star Wars holographic display, designed for portability inside a stylish 4.5cm aluminum cube.

Countertop Washing Machine From Japan Is A Small Wonder

Steve Levenstein — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:00:01 -0700

A tiny washing machine on my kitchen counter? It's more likely than you think, if you live in a tiny Japanese apartment. The Swash Petite Laundry model LA5 from King Jim saves time, money and water if very small loads are all you need to wash.

Chocolate Bar Puzzle Is Deliciously Difficult

Steve Levenstein — Sat, 15 May 2010 22:02:03 -0700

Puzzled over which candy to buy? Chocolate cravings got you going to pieces? Step right up then, 'cause this chocolate candy bar puzzle melts in your mind, not in your hands.

Sanrio Hello Kitty Monster Collection Introduces 5 Cute Scaredy Cats

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:01:00 -0700

Hallow Kitty? Just in time for Halloween, Japan's favorite friendly feline gets her horror on. The Sanrio Hello Kitty Monster Collection scares up 5 BOO-tiful plush dolls modeled after classic fright film stars Frankenstein, The Mummy and more.

Hello Kitty 'Year Of The Rabbit' Charms Wish You A Hoppy New Year!

Steve Levenstein — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 22:02:03 -0800

2011 may not be a Leap Year but these official Hello Kitty “Year of the Rabbit” plush dolls and mobile phone charms are hopping off store shelves, right into your heart!

Electric Banana Speaks Out When You Strip It

Steve Levenstein — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:39:10 -0700

This somewhat cute, certainly annoying keychain slash mobile phone charm speaks with the voice of one of Japan's most popular voice actresses - every time you peel it.

Teddy Bear Bouquet Warms Her Heart On Valentine's Day

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:02:03 -0800

A bouquet of roses might be the most traditional Valentine's Day gift and certainly it makes a great impression, but listen guys: playing it safe isn't always the best move. Show her you can think outside the flower box by going bear... Teddy Bear, that is!

Cute Coin Bank Plays Cat & Mouse With Your Loose Change

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 22:02:03 -0800

Got change you can believe in? Save it... in the Sutakora Coin Bank. This cute musical coin bank from Japan plays cat & mouse with your loose change while serenading savers with an adorable tune!

Doughnut To-Go Keeps Sweet Snacks Safe & Secure

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:02:03 -0700

Doughnut To-Go is a custom carrying case designed to hold a single doughnut in protective custody. It can even be locked, keeping your sweet snack safe from kids, co-workers and Homer Simpson. DOH!

Reusable Heart Shaped Hand Warmer is People AND Earth Friendly

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Cold Hands? Warm Heart! This reusable, environmentally friendly, heart-shaped portable heating pad from Japan puts out heat to the beat, again and again!

Fridgeezoo Fridge Pets are Cool and Environmentally Friendly

Steve Levenstein — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:01:01 -0700

Looking for a cool, low-maintenance pet that costs nothing to feed and just might save the planet? Well step right up, Fridgeezoo Fridge Pets from Japan are just what you've been looking for!

San-X Goes Upmarket with Rilakkuma Elegant Pearl Pendant

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:30:01 -0800

Dare to be bear! As Japan's birthrate falls and the core market for Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma toys ages, cute character powerhouse San-X refuses to be left behind. Case in point: the sterling silver Rilakkuma Elegant Pearl Pendant.

RC Japanese Style Toilet Runs Away When You Come Running

Steve Levenstein — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:00:01 -0700

The Benki RC Japanese Style Toilet from Nigiwai-Showten takes the traditional Japanese squat toilet to a new, lower level by reducing its size and adding wheels. Why? Because Japan, that's why.

Wacky Cat Camera Attracts Frisky Felines With Cute Kitty Sounds

Steve Levenstein — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 04:00:00 -0700

The Superheadz Holga K202 Cat Camera would rank high among the many ridiculous gadgets featured at this site if it weren't for one saving grace - it actually seems to work! Now if only it would work quietly, without all the silly cat noises... oops, that's the point.

Sarah Palin's Japanese Eyeglasses Spark Fashion Trend

Steve Levenstein — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Alaska Governor and GOP vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has caught the public eye in more ways than one - her stylish, made in Japan eyeglasses have struck a particular chord with middle class, midlife mamas!

Dexim Visible-G USB Cable Glows When Current Flows

Steve Levenstein — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:01:00 -0800

This Universal USB Charge & Sync Cable from Dexim employs integral blue LEDS that scroll, marquee style, along the path of your current connection. Pimp my USB cable? Dexim has, and you're certain to get a charge out of it!

Japanese Researchers Announce Breakthrough In Regenerative Therapy For Breast Cancer Patients

Steve Levenstein — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:00:01 -0700

A Japanese medical research team employing stem cells mixed with patients' own fat has been able to regenerate up to 90 percent of tissue removed during breast cancer surgery. If adopted as a standard treatment protocol, the procedure could significantly affect the number of radical mastectomies performed and post-surgery prostheses required.

Milestone's 1/12 Scale Model Urinal Set With Sink

Steve Levenstein — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 21:00:01 -0700

Looking for that special gift for the model-maker who has everything? Consider this 1/12 scale pair of urinals from Japan's Milestone that comes complete with sink, tile wall and privacy partition. Little Jimmy will just love it! His parents, not so much.