Search
  • Videos
  • 5G Guide
  • Windows 10
  • Cloud
  • AI
  • Security
  • TR Premium
  • more
    • Build a Website
    • Enterprise Software
    • Hardware
    • Innovation
    • Best Smartphones
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • Web Hosting
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
  • Newsletters
  • All Writers
    • Preferences
    • Community
    • Newsletters
    • Log Out
  • Menu
    • Videos
    • 5G Guide
    • Windows 10
    • Cloud
    • AI
    • Security
    • TR Premium
    • Build a Website
    • Enterprise Software
    • Hardware
    • Innovation
    • Best Smartphones
    • Executive Guides
    • Best VPN Services
    • Web Hosting
    • See All Topics
    • White Papers
    • Downloads
    • Reviews
    • Galleries
    • Videos
    • TechRepublic Forums
      • Preferences
      • Community
      • Newsletters
      • Log Out
  • us
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • Europe
    • India
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • ZDNet around the globe:
    • ZDNet China
    • ZDNet France
    • ZDNet Germany
    • ZDNet Korea
    • ZDNet Japan

Japanese tech that makes us jealous

1 of 10 NEXT PREV
  • Akihabara district

    Akihabara district

    Tokyo loves tech so much, there is an entire district focused on technology and electronics.

    Tokyo's Akihabara district, nicknamed Akihabara Electric Town is full of department stores selling electronics, video games, anime, manga and cosplay, bishojo games with anime models taking up entire floors. The whole district is an Otaku geek's dream

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Super Mario Kart racing

    Super Mario Kart racing

    In Tokyo's Akihabara district, groups of Super Mario karts race around the block. It's a fuzzy picture because it was dark when I took the image and they were going really fast.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Toilet seats

    Toilet seats

    The electronic toilet seats have a variety of functions including a rear jet, and shower bidet spray, and a front shower function.

    There is a customisable range of temperatures in the heated seat, adjustable jet strength, and waterfall music in public toilets. Top of the range models even have a drying function and remote controls. Fortunately you can now get them over here from Amazon.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Playseat

    Playseat

    The Playseat racing simulation cockpit gives you the feedback you need from a seat when racing. These are very popular in Japan, but you can get one on Amazon.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Sony Life Space UX

    Sony Life Space UX

    Sony has an array of connected home appliances that are not so common over here.

    The Life Space UX portable glass sound speaker and LED glow lamp bulb speaker connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone or other devices to deliver music in different rooms.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Panasonic Rulo

    Panasonic Rulo

    The Rulo is a triangluar vacuum cleaner designed to get into all the corners that the round Roomba can not reach. Sensors and a green 'clean' light indicates that the room is clean.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Luggage lockers

    Luggage lockers

    Japan has luggage lockers at train and metro stations and at busy shopping districts such as Akihabara.

    You can pay for these lockers using one of several top up contactless smart cards such as Suica or Pasmo (pictured) which also can be used to pay for metro and bus rides, drinks and food from vending machines, and items from convenience stores.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Grip rings

    Grip rings

    A brilliant add-on for those of us who carry our phone in our hands all the time.

    Slip your thumb or finger through this ring and make sure that it never falls from your hand and smashes that expensive screen. Fortunately they are available in the US from Amazon

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Hydrogen-rich water generator

    Hydrogen-rich water generator

    This Gyms Silky device generates hydrogen-rich hot water. Fill the bottle with water and press the power button.

    Bubbles will appear indicating the presence of hydrogen in the water. Available on Amazon.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

  • Sony Walkman

    Sony Walkman

    Sony Walkman accessories are a big thing in Japan with many shops selling Walkman items and accessories.

    Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

    Photo by: EIleen Brown

    Caption by: Eileen Brown

1 of 10 NEXT PREV
Eileen Brown

By Eileen Brown for Social Business | June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT) | Topic: Innovation

  • Akihabara district
  • Super Mario Kart racing
  • Toilet seats
  • Playseat
  • Sony Life Space UX
  • Panasonic Rulo
  • Luggage lockers
  • Grip rings
  • Hydrogen-rich water generator
  • Sony Walkman

I have been blown away by the tech in Japan during my recent trip there. Here are some of the impressive tech I saw during my stay.

Read More Read Less

Akihabara district

Tokyo loves tech so much, there is an entire district focused on technology and electronics.

Tokyo's Akihabara district, nicknamed Akihabara Electric Town is full of department stores selling electronics, video games, anime, manga and cosplay, bishojo games with anime models taking up entire floors. The whole district is an Otaku geek's dream

Published: June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT)

Caption by: Eileen Brown

1 of 10 NEXT PREV

Related Topics:

Innovation Hardware CXO Digital Transformation Tech Industry Smart Cities
Eileen Brown

By Eileen Brown for Social Business | June 8, 2017 -- 12:45 GMT (05:45 PDT) | Topic: Innovation

Show Comments
LOG IN TO COMMENT
  • My Profile
  • Log Out
| Community Guidelines

Join Discussion

Add Your Comment
Add Your Comment

Related Galleries

  • 1 of 3
  • I 3D printed a Tesla Cybertruck because...why not?

    We have the technology. We can build it. We can make it better, smaller, and more plastic than the prototype demo. But we can be demo accurate, too. Our windows are as shattered as our ...

  • Python skills boom, in-demand jobs, self-driving cars, and more: Tech research round-up

    All the facts and figures that matter to you and your business from the past month in technology news.

  • In pictures: How Dell Technologies tests its rugged kit

    A sneak peak into the lab where the sole purpose is to get things to break.

  • The Nightmare in Silicon Valley: 8 horror technologies that should scare you to death

    Every night is fright night with what can happen once these scary technologies take hold in ways that you may not have imagined.

  • Windows tablets through the ages: The good, the bad and the ugly, in pictures

    A tour through some of most popular - and most unusual - Windows devices of the last two decades, from Tablet PCs to the Surface Duo.

  • Cool new products from USA CBD Expo 2019

    CBD Expo at the Miami Beach Convention Center has come and gone. Here are the best products and solutions for the hemp industry we saw at the show.

  • Cloud computing winners, IT security job salaries, 5G network plans: Tech research round-up

    All the data that matters to you from the past month in technology news.

ZDNet
Connect with us

© 2019 CBS Interactive. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Cookies | Ad Choice | Advertise | Terms of Use | Mobile User Agreement

  • Topics
  • All Authors
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Sponsored Narratives
  • About ZDNet
  • Meet The Team
  • Site Map
  • RSS Feeds
  • Reprint Policy
  • Manage | Log Out
  • Join | Log In | Membership
  • Newsletters
  • Site Assistance
  • ZDNet Academy
  • TechRepublic Forums