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 describes people with obsessive, fandom-related interests. Maid cafes are right up the alley of both otakus and tourists, and, to be fair, they are a little strange. These cafes are a type of cosplay restaurant.
Maid Cafe @priuschat / Pinterest
Female waitresses dress up in maid costumes and act like servants, treating the customers as though they were masters in their private homes instead of mere café patrons. The entry fee for these cafes is usually around $4.50-$7, not including the cost of whatever food and drinks you order while you’re there. You can even take pictures with your “maid” for an extra charge.
152. Monkey Park
What it is: Park where you can buy food and feed wild macaques (snow monkeys)
Invented: 2010s
Average Price: $4.99 entry fee*
The Iwatayama Monkey Park, located in Kyoto, is inhabited by a large gang of more than 120 macaque monkeys, also known as “snow monkeys.” Though these macaques are wild, you can buy food and feed them at the park. The entrance fee is just $4.99.
Monkey Park @bingteam / Pinterest
The commercial park, which was featured on an episode of K-On!, an anime series, is a popular destination for anyone who wants to get close to wildlife. Other macaque parks are often hard to trek through, as these monkeys often live in bamboo forests or hot springs, but Iwatayama is one of the most accessible.
153. Ibusuki Beach
What it is: A beach close to a volcano
Average Price: N/A
At first glance, Ibusuki Beach in southern Japan might look like an ordinary place to sunbathe, but it’s far from it. The sand isn’t quite sand at all, but granite generated by a nearby volcano. The material is heated underground because of the volcanic activity, making it the perfect place to take a steaming sand bath.
Ibusuki Beach @djdabblin/Twitter
Of course, stepping out onto the beach isn’t without its dangers, but most people that visit find it a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Would you put it on your bucket list of places to visit, or avoid it entirely?
154. Toilet Sink Combo
What it is: A toilet with a sink on top
Average Price: $150*
It’s no secret that the population in Japan is incredibly high, so space can be limited. Bathrooms are often very small in apartments and workplaces, so what happens if you don’t have room for a standalone sink?
Toilet Sink Combo @tendencee/Pinterest
Hygiene doesn’t need to be compromised when there’s a solution like this to hand. Believe it or not, this sink toilet actually exists. All you have to do is stand up, turn the tap on, and there you have it, a two-in-one solution that saves space and water.
155. ispace Technology
What it is: Robotic spacecraft
Average Price: N/A
ispace was first established back in 2010, but it’s come a long way since then. The privately held Japanese company aims to develop robotic spacecraft technology to expand our knowledge of different planets. While the entire concept is far too complex to sum up in two paragraphs, it’s more than impressive.
ispace Technology @ispace/Youtube
In 2018, ispace announced plans to go head-to-head with NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program by releasing its very own lunar lander. This is one Japanese company that will go a long way – to infinity, and beyond!
156. Light Touch Technology
What it is: A blood glucose sensor
Average Price: TBC
The advancement of medical technology is something that is constantly worked on by scientists and gifted individuals across the world. After all, quality and longevity of life is something we can all get behind. Light Touch Technology is the brainchild of Koichi Yamakawa.
Light Touch Technology @JapanGov/Twitter
As a company, LTT has developed the technology to measure blood glucose in a way that doesn’t require any invasive testing. Instead, it uses lasers and a touchpad to measure glucose levels in just five seconds. That means no medical waste and no painful blood tests.
157. Zero Meat
What it is: Soy burger patties
Average Price: $5*
As more and more people across the world turn away from meat products and toward a plant-based lifestyle, companies are racing to keep up. Japanese brand Zero Meat is owned by Otsuka Food, but it wasn’t an easy process for the company.
Zero Meat @zeromeat.jp/Pinterest
In fact, it took over a year for them to get the recipe down to a fine art. In 2018 Zero Meat had just one product to its name, but it wasn’t long before more items were released to accompany the soy burger patties. It’s turned out to be a profitable side hustle for Otsuka Food.
158. Drip Coffee Singles
What it is: Single-use coffee sachets
Average Price: $8*
Are you sick of messing around with the coffee machine in the morning just to get your daily pick-me-up? Buying a fancy machine might seem like a good investment, but if you were in Japan you could just buy these single-use coffee drip sachets instead.
Drip On @Takaski.com
All you need to do is pop one of these in your cup and pour in hot water. The water seeps through the coffee (which is premium quality, of course) and leaves you with a steaming hot cup of Joe with none of the clean-up.
159. Mighty-D3 Robot
What it is: Lunar robot
Average Price: TBC
There is some serious money to be made in robotics, with numerous companies and inventors dying to get a slice of the pie. The Mighty-D3 Robot is the work of Piezo Sonic, but what makes it so special?
Mighty-D3 Robot @Entertainment press 365/Facebook
The little roaming bot uses a special motor that can hold five times more power than a DC motor of the same size, according to Auto Evolution. Unlike some other would-be lunar robots, the Mighty-D3 has the ability to cover all sorts of tricky terrain thanks to its four individually-powered legs that come complete with pivots.
160. Keisha (light automobile)
What it is: A car
Average Price: $20,000*
New cars come along all the time, but this particular type of vehicle is becoming more popular in Japan. Keisha is less than one liter, meaning that car insurance and tax rates are much lower than on other SUV-type cars. Not only that, but tolls prices are cheaper, too.
Keisha (light automobile) @takaski/Pinterest
They may not necessarily be the prettiest cars on the market, but they can be among some of the cheapest. One of the more popular types, the N Box by Honda, retails for around $20,000, but Suzuki’s Keisha is just $7,000.
161. Slim Walk Socks
What it is: Reflexology socks
Average Price: $10*
A reflexology session can be great for all sorts of ailments and illnesses, but not everyone can afford regular treatments. Apparently, these Slim Walk Socks by Pip give you exactly the same benefits as a costly private treatment.
Slim Walk Socks @takaski/Pinterest
According to the instructions, these should be worn at night and when you wake up in the morning your toes and feet will feel suitably refreshed. Whether that’s a true statement or not is open to debate, but we’ll leave that to the experts.
162. Ghibli Museum
What it is: A museum dedicated to Ghibli
Average Price: $0.86-$8 per admission*
For fans of Studio Ghibli, there’s only one place that’s an absolute must-see. The Ghibli Museum in Japan takes you on a weird and wonderful tour of everything the animation studio has to offer. What’s more, ticket prices are incredibly cheap, starting at less than $1 for small children.
Ghibli Museum @Animated_Antic/Twitter.com
Not only do the exhibitions take you through the creation process of some of the most popular characters, but there is also a cafe, rooftop garden, and even access to some exclusive shorts created by the studio that can’t be seen anywhere else.
163. Moomin Cafes
What it is: Anti-loneliness cafes
Average Price: N/A
When Finnish writer Tove Jansson came up with Moomins several decades ago, she likely never realized just how popular the hippo-like characters would become. Although Moomins aren’t a Japanese invention, they do speak to Japan’s love of whimsy.
Moomin Cafes @moominofficial/Pinterest
At the Moomin House Cafe in Japan, diners are seated with giant Moomin stuffed animals to keep them company while they eat. Dubbed an “anti-loneliness” movement, these eateries have become increasingly popular. It’s not something you’d see in Texas or even Los Angeles, but this is what makes it so special.
164. Sleep Together Shops
What it is: A place patrons can pay to co-sleep next to someone else
Average Price: $38*
At first glance, this practice may sound slightly seedy, but it’s not quite as risque as it seems. In 2012, Japan’s Soineya “Cuddle Club” received press attention for its unusual concept. For $38, patrons could sleep next to and be cuddled by a woman.
Sleep Together Shops @wattpad/Pinterest
For a little bit extra, they could choose from a list of “extra” services that ranged from a foot massage to simply looking at the other person. Since then, several “sleep together shops” have popped up across the country.
165. Daifuku Sweets
What it is: Delicious sweet treats
Average Price: $3*
Every country has delicacies on offer that visitors can’t get enough of. Japan has plenty, including Daifuku sweets. This traditional treat is actually a mochi, otherwise known as a particular type of rice cake. The rice cake is stuffed with different fillings, including a red bean paste.
Daifuku Sweets @sudachirecipes/Pinterest
Other popular varieties include strawberry and a pickled Sakura leaf. It might look slightly odd to Westerners, but Daifuku has a reputation for being full of flavor, delicious, and cheap to buy. Many websites say getting one of these is an absolute must for any traveler.
166. Love Hotels
What it is: A place for lovers to rendezvous
Average Price: $25-$60*
If you visit Japan, you’ll never struggle to find accommodation. There are hotels and guest houses everywhere, but what if you’re a local that wants some secret alone time with your lover? That’s where love hotels come in.
Love Hotels @Image observant/Facebook
These hotels typically charge by the hour, giving couples the chance to stay for as long as they need to. The establishments pride themselves on being discreet places where what happens at the motel stays at the motel. What’s more, they don’t cost a small fortune and you can even order room service for an added fee.