Only In Japan >>

Flower Fire Extinguishers

“For those who cook with oil, it’s important to be extremely careful with the possibility of fire. The Fire Flowers are fire extinguishers that look just like decorative silk flowers, but can be used to put out oil and grease fires with ease.” w/ photos + video

Cicada Shell Cosplay

“Shokotan, who talked about her fascination with cicada molts and showed off part of her collection in a television appearance last year, showed up at a recent concert wearing the insect shells on her head.” w/ photos

Monkey Train Station Havoc

“Police in Tokyo are on the lookout for a wild monkey on the loose in the Shibuya area. The monkey — identified as a Japanese macaque — was spotted inside Shibuya station this morning (August 20), much to the surprise of morning commuters.” w/ photos + videos

Full Body Tattoo

“Is it body art, or a proud display of organized crime connections? In Japan, full-body tattooing rises from dubious origins to art form.”

Tetrapod Beaches Of Japan

“Hit the beach anywhere in Japan, and you are likely to see endless piles of Tetrapods — enormous four-legged concrete structures intended to prevent coastal erosion. By some estimates, more than 50% of Japan’s 35,000-kilometer (22,000-mi) coastline has been altered with tetrapods and other forms of concrete.” w/ photos

Crazy Sex Positions From Japan

My ex-girlfriend and I practically invented this position back in 2002.

The Youngest Band In Japan

“Cutest. Rock. Band. Ever.”

Sega Massage Machine

“Interesting massage machine made by Sega. The user can select which areas he/she wants to be massaged and at the end it will generate your feet map with some health advice.” w/ photo

Grapes Auctioned For $910

“A new variety of premium grapes debuted in Japan on Monday, with a single bunch fetching as much as $910. A Japanese hotel manager paid that amount, or about $26 per grape, for a 1 1/2 pound (700-gram) bunch of the Ruby Roman grapes to serve guests at an upscale hotel, officials said. “We believe the price was probably a record high,” said local agricultural official Hirofumi Isu. “They’re delicious — sweet but fresh at the same time, very well-balanced.” w/ photo

Medieval Fighting Robots

A pair of Japanese robots programmed to fight each other with medieval weapons. That is all, move along.