16 of the Weirdest Japanese Inventions Ever Made

Ahh, the Japanese! They do think of everything, do they? Try visiting their dollar stores around the world and you will see every imaginable item that you will need for home, school, and work. You will find items that you don’t even know you need (socks for table legs, anyone?) and you will end up buying them anyway.

The Japanese go beyond these practical everyday items; they also invent weird stuff that you can actually use but so weird you will get looks from people if you do.

Chindogu is the Japanese art of inventing silly and useless gadgets to solve everyday problems. Translated literally, ‘Chindogu’ means valuable or priceless tool. Yes, these inventions are genius, but you would probably look pretty silly using them out in public.

Here are some of the weirdest items ever invented in Japan:

#1. Umbrella Tie

Wearing a suit and it’s raining hard outside? No problem! Take this umbrella tie off your neck and you can brave the weather outside!

#2. Square watermelons

Circular fruits such as watermelons are trickier to pack and take up more space so here’s the solution: square watermelons! These are grown in square cases so they won’t turn into circles.

#3. Rain-proof umbrella

When the rain is really strong, a regular umbrella just won’t do. This umbrella has a plastic curtain circled around your body to protect you from getting wet.

#4. Bubble-wrap keychain

Whenever a new package comes in, we all reach for the bubble-wrapping that comes with it and pop away until all the bubbles are burst. This keychain lets you pop all you want, anytime anywhere!

#5. Baby Floor Cleaner

We’re not advocating child labor but you can hit two birds with one stone with this cleaner! Now baby can clean the floor while he’s crawling around the house!

#6. Banana Slipcase

Now you can take your banana everywhere without worrying about it getting squished .

#7. Butter Grater

Waiting for the butter to melt before you can spread it on your toast is such a drag. This butter grater solves your buttered toast craving just like that!

#8. Eyedrop Funnels

Don’t let those drops go to waste. Now you can make sure that every drop goes straight where they are supposed to be!

#9. Silent Karaoke

Because you love to sing but can’t bear the thought of anyone hearing your terrible voice.

#10. Chopstick Fan

Eating noodles is fun but waiting for it to cool down is not. This chopstick fan lets you eat your noodles as soon as it is served!

#11. Splash protector for the hairs

#12. Leg pillow for lonely men

#13. Book-shaped pillow for weary students

#14. “Solar energy” lighter

#15. Ear enhancer

#16. Battle Scratch Shirt

Now, this is genius. When you have an itch you can’t scratch, direct your friend to the right spot on your back.