7 Unbelievably Disturbing Japanese Gadgets You Have To See

The Japanese are freaky (and I mean that with utmost appreciation). Ranging from incredibly awesome to flat-out disturbing, the Japanese have produced an intriguing array of devices and inventions over the years that sometimes blow our minds to bits. But others have bewildered us. But while strange things are strange, they can also be cool.

So we’re going to take a better look at some of the more disturbingly cool devices that have originated from the Land of the Rising Sun. We also promise that you’ll have a better appreciation for everything you own (and a few things that you don’t) after you are done with this article.

1. Tuttuki Bako

There’s a hole and finger, and you use your finger, which goes in the hole, to play with a digital… thing. The Device in question is the Tuttuki Bako. The concept here seems just a tiny bit suggestive — while you are “fingering” this device, your objective is to interact with a virtual creature that appears on the screen. Your success and failure depends entirely upon your ability to finger this device appropriately. And yeah, that’s all we have to say about it.

2. Geminoid TMF

We know that Japan is on the forefront of robotics technology, but I must take exception when they are creating robots that look almost exactly like humans. Haven’t the Japanese ever seen I, Robot? Joking aside, the robots themselves are not the problem here. The things that people might do with them is. It’s really only a matter of time before we see Robots Gone Wild.

3. Solar Powered Bra

When environmental groups push for us to save Earth’s energy, I’m sure they didn’t have solar-powered bras in mind. But to who ever thought this thing up: I do not approve of this in the sake of fashion. However, it is pretty cool because the message, no matter what it might say, is sure to get some attention (exactly what advertisers want). For that, I guess that whole “sex sells” adage applies here.

4. Face Bank

Instead of shoving your finger in this thing, you shove money inside instead. This “face bank” has a mouth that swallows your money, using a freakishly realistic animation to get the job done. I don’t know why they created this. But I do know what many of you are thinking while you watch this.

5. Squat Toilet

If I had the ability to hover parallel to the ground, this thing wouldn’t be as disturbing and might be usable. But since I can’t, I have to talk about the Japanese-style squat toilet (which isn’t necessarily a gadget, I know). To use it, you have to squat to do your business. Amazing, right? It is touted as being an efficient and clean solution to the traditional westernized toilet. But I digress. Could you imagine a drunk person trying to use this thing? All of those “fail” blogs around the Web would never run out of toilet-related humor.

6. RSStrom Reader

To help keep you entertained while you are attempting to use your squat toilet, we have the RSStrom Reader, a device that was designed to print out RSS feeds on your toilet paper — now that’s convenient, right? Unfortunately, this device never made it to market, but, ironically enough, it is probably the one device that doesn’t creep me out on this entire list.

7. Love Plus

I love my family, my friends, and even those little umbrellas you get in mixed drinks, but my virtual girlfriend on my Nintendo DS will have to take a back seat. Just don’t tell that to this guy who actually married his virtual girlfriend in Love Plus. The most disturbing part, however, is how devoted he truly is: “When I die, I want to be buried with her in my arms.” Oh the things virtual girlfriends can do to men.