5 Home Gadgets You Can Only Buy In Japan

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If you've ever spent an hour or two doomscrolling, you may have come across a bunch of reels or videos highlighting the several ways "Japan lives in 2050." Often running the gamut, tThese videos often start with Japan's high-tech toilets and their host of bells and whistles before moving on to handcrafted kitchen knives. Although Japan has garnered a massive reputation for its high-tech cameras, audio devices, gaming consoles, and single-use, innovative tools, like chestnut peelers or cat-shaped mochi molds, it also produce a slew of unrivaled home gadgets. Examples include a portable rice cooker, a wearable kotatsu, a stapleless stapler, an ultrasonic stain remover, and a compact rice polisher that may be easier to find at major Japanese retailers such as Bic Camera, Yodobashi-Akiba, LAOX Akihabara, Thanko, and the ilk. Some are also available through Amazon Japan, Rakuten, or specialty importers, though ordering from abroad may mean paying shipping and import costs instead of receiving Japan's tax-free shopping benefit.

Although some Japanese offerings may leave you puzzled (any takers for umbrella shoes or fans that cool your ramen?), the country continues to produce inventive products that are also highly practical. However, before you make any purchases, check for electrical compatibility. Many Japanese products are designed for a 100-volt power supply and may require a step-down transformer before being used in a U.S. outlet. If you're bringing a gadget home in your luggage, also check your airline's rules for devices containing lithium-ion batteries.

That the Japanese love their rice is nothing new. Neither is the fact that they have some of the best rice cookers. Because these appliances use induction heating (IH), the rice stays fluffy and warm throughout the day, making meals highly convenient. And if you're willing to stretch your budget, you can get numerous other features that allow your rice cooker to extend beyond just rice cooking. However, if you don't have the space to haul a full-sized Zojirushi rice cooker, consider getting Thanko's Rice Bowl Cooker "Donburi." It features a two-tiered system that lets you heat or steam a side dish on top while cooking rice on the bottom, allowing you to whip up a quick meal with a single device.

Although it's advertised that you can prepare a whole meal in as little as a quarter of an hour (a godsend if you're trying to catch up on a deadline or are too exhausted to make a meal past midnight), prep times may increase with larger portion sizes. Too lazy to fetch a plate? You can take the bowl off the heating base and eat from it (yes, you upgraded it from a cooking bowl to a serving bowl). Given its compact size, this portable rice cooker surely is one of the best small-space kitchen appliances to get from Japan, where counterspace is at a premium.

Unlike homes in the U.S., Japanese homes typically don't have central air conditioning and are built to encourage cross-ventilation because the weather can be extremely humid. So, to keep warm during the winter, many households use a kotatsu. A kotatsu is a table with a heating element attached underneath. Since it's draped with a warm blanket or futon, people sit underneath it to stay warm while catching up on work or play — take your pick. They usually run cheaper than electric heaters and can help save on utility bills. But since carrying away a heated table is unlikely to be on anyone's list, a better option is to get the wearable version of kotatsu.

Also the brainchild of Thanko, a wearable kotatsu is essentially a heated sleeping bag. But because you can unzip the ends, you retain the option to walk around the house, feeling all warm and cozy. This, quite frankly, is a step up from the concept of heated blankets, where you must constantly struggle to keep them in place. It comes equipped with three temperature settings, ranging from 38 to 55 degrees Celsius (100 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit), which feels a bit excessive unless you love to stay extra toasty. At under 4 pounds, it's lightweight, and you can even set timers for it to disconnect automatically should you fall asleep.

The world took notice of stapleless staplers first in 2012 when visiting dignitaries at an IMF meeting were presented with these gadgets, though they've been popular in Japan for far longer. The rationale, of course, is to dispense with the need to for staples. But this can be immensely useful in other ways, too. If you've got kids around, it reduces the risk of them nicking their fingers on staples, especially if you use them to seal food packages. Plus, it also makes shredding or recycling easier, as there's no metal to clog or damage the machines.

So, how do stapleless staplers work? Think of origami. The blade punches a hole into the paper and tucks the loose fibers into an arrow-shaped slit. Et voila, they're now bound, while looking visually appealing. However, the downside is that you're limited to a small stack — 12 sheets for the best models. But they're eco-friendly and sustainable and great for creative projects. You'll find lots of options from brands like Plus, Daiso, and Muji, though Kokuyo, another reliable Japanese brand, has started selling imported Stapleless Staplers on Amazon. Another variant is a crimper style that simply weaves the paper fibers together to fasten the sheets, but it works best on delicate paper where you want to minimize damage.

If you've ever taken a stab at removing a stubborn stain, you'll have heard the common refrain: dab lightly, don't press down or you'll spread it. And quite honestly, it's such a difficult and slow process. While stain removers are a dime a dozen, some Japanese companies have launched ultrasonic stain removers. On a damp, stained cloth, they use fast-moving sound vibrations to help break apart debris and stubborn stains, which can then be lifted away. They're usually battery-operated, lightweight, and highly portable, allowing for about 15 minutes worth of operating time.

When you're scouring around in markets, look for devices from Sharp or Thanko. Based on Japanese reviews, Sharp's model has an elegant design that works well on makeup, blood, and curry stains. However, it can only cover a limited area and has a long recharge time. For quicker turnaround times, you're better off getting Thanko's Torun. It offers wider coverage because of its two-blade system, has a shorter recharge time, and is especially useful for households with kids because it tackles mud and soil stains better. Also, did we mention that at under 7,000 yen (approximately $40), it's much cheaper? And until you get these devices, feel free to use our simple guide for identifying and removing seven types of laundry stains.

If you can't get enough sushi but are tired of paying a premium for it at restaurants, here's one gadget you can use at home to help your dishes turn out just as well: a rice polisher. Not the big machines used at rice mills, but compact ones like those from Recolte that weigh slightly over one kilogram (approximately three pounds) and can process about two cups of rice at a time.

In many rural neighborhoods in Japan, it's common to see rice polishing stations that polish brown rice (called "genmai") into white rice. After all, brown rice is cheaper, has a longer shelf life, and, because it still has the bran, retains its moisture, aroma, and flavor longer. And while you might not be the kind to keep whole brown rice — not unless you're a health freak — it's useful to remill white rice, too. Once its outer layers are removed, white rice oxidizes and gradually loses its texture and flavor, turning your meals bland. So, you can freshen them up in a rice polisher for the best taste. It also helps that these gadgets allow you to customize rice texture, so you can retain some chewiness if that's to your taste.