Brilliance Beyond Borders: Japan’s Unique Inventions
1. Drinks Yakult What it is: a beneficial probiotic $4* is the average price. In contrast to some of the other topics we've covered, Yakult is accessible abroad. But this…
1. Drinks Yakult What it is: a beneficial probiotic $4* is the average price. In contrast to some of the other topics we've covered, Yakult is accessible abroad. But this…
1. SkyDrive What It Is: A business that creates flying cars Average Cost: *$500,000 (Price Estimated for Model Launch) The standard image of the far, far future has always featured…
1. Shoe Keeper Devices What it is: safe shoe storage devices that operate automatically. Average Cost: May be as little as a few dollars or complimentary. An inventive way to…
1. A motorcycle helmet featuring a ponytail hole. What it is: a ponytail-pocket-friendly helmet Created: Unknown Cost on average: $200–$400* The motorbike helmet with a ponytail opening, called a "genius…
1. Smart Automobile Concessionaire What it is: A Smart Car vending machine Created in 2011 Average Cost: $20,000.* Though it's a long way off, the concept of a car-pushing vending…
Japanese restroom via Shutterstock or @supawatbursuk Just behind Finland, Japan is the second-most technologically advanced nation in the world, with the US coming in second. Despite having a population of…
151. Maid Cafe What it is: A cafe where the waitresses dress up like maids and act like submissive servants Invented: 2001 Average Price: $4.50-$7 entry fee* Otakus are a Japanese term that…
167. Yakult Drinks What it is: Healthy probiotic Average Price: $4* Unlike some other things we’ve discussed, Yakult is available in other countries. However, this healthy drink was born in Japan…
1. Manual Cutter It's a cutting board with a fictitious hand attached. Date of invention: mid-2000s; average cost: $75* Porch reports that cooking mishaps result in more than 322,000 ER…