Cool Stuff to Buy
Shopping - Interior and Table
Traditional Storehouse Bento Box
kura bento box

Pack your lunch in an old-fashioned Japanese kura storehouse.

This adorable bento lunchbox is shaped like a Japanese kura storehouse. The design is based on the traditional architecture of tiled roof, white walls on the upper story, and black-slate patterned lower level.

The two-story building and separate roof compartment are big enough to fit a hearty lunch for a hungry student or office worker. Use the two box compartments for main and side dishes, sandwich and salad, or rice and toppings, and pop some candy or a snack in the roof. [US$29, €25.52]

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Shopping - Outdoor Stuff
Cute Diode-character Folding Umbrella
diode umbrella
diode umbrella

This high-quality folding umbrella exudes high-tech electronic wizardry with its "transistorized" design.

It appears to be a simple black brolly decorated with colorful diodes and amps, but a closer look reveals that all the electronic components are cute, friendly characters.

Even the handle has a smiley face. Japanese customers love this item so much that some of them prefer not to take it out in the rain. (If you do take it out for a spin, it folds and fits easily into a bag or briefcase when not in use.)

From Japanese design group Kuralab. [US$29, €25.52]

more cool products
Art gallery watch
Art gallery watch
Trends - Popcult and Kawaii
Demure Office-Lady Figure Blowing Up
fuchiko

Since its debut in July 2012, Fuchiko of the Cup, a figure of a demure office lady that sits on the rim of your cup or glass, has sold over seven million units. (The OL's name is a Japanese pun on fuchi-ko, or girl of the edge.)

fuchiko

A recent retrospective of Fuchiko's greatest hits at Parco Gallery X included all 300 varieties of her costumes and poses, as well as original sketches by artist Katsuki Tanaka, a special edition Fuchiko with the irritatingly hyperactive character Funashi, and a massive pyramid fountain of champagne glasses with hundreds of Fuchikos clambering all over it.

fuchiko
fuchiko

To complete the surreal, Alice in Wonderland feel of the whole show, there was also a giant cup with Fuchiko hanging on to the rim, ready for a unique selfie experience.

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