Massage socks from Akaishi, Advancing

Written by: Rebecca Milner on March 7, 2008 at 10:40 pm | In Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends | 2 Comments

They may not be the cutest socks we’ve seen recently, but these pressure point message fleece socks from Akaishi (1,890) are worth checking out.

Based on the theory of reflexology, the socks press into the soles of your feet at key spots that should help encourage the flow of energy through the body and the elimination of lactic acid crystals accumulated in tired feet. The socks have arch support too!

Likewise, these “goro goro” massage balls from Advancing (1,890) are also designed to ease tired feet, by simply running the sole of your foot over the balls wherever they need rubbing.

Easy to use and transport, the product is designed to be used at the office, on the airplane, or at home watching TV. The set come with two sizes of rubber, raspberry-looking balls: a larger one to stretch out the whole of your foot and a smaller one to apply to particular points.

“Goro goro” in Japanese is the sound of rumbling, although we’re not sure if that is the sound of the balls running under your feet, or the sound of your feet purring with relaxation. And no, we’re not sure why the set comes with its own special pink socks.

Tags: Comfort, health, Leisure
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends
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Self-heating hand cream and eye mask from Hakugen

Written by: Rebecca Milner on February 2, 2008 at 11:02 pm | In Fashion & Lifestyle Trends | 1 Comment

The deeper we get into winter, the more innovative products designed to keep us warm get. Last month we mentioned Kiribai’s “Foot Steam Bath” kits, next up is this cream from Hakugen that promises to warm cold hands and feet, called “Nuru Hokkairo.”

Nuru is Japanese for “to paint” or “to spread” while the word Hokkairo, which originally referred to the pocket hand warmers (like you use when skiing), now generally means any self-warming personal use product.

The heating element is a synthetic mica powder and the moisturizing qualities are courtesy of a combination of hyaluronic acid and ceramide. While the brilliance of this innovation is undeniable, the caution to avoid contact with manicured nails and leather products is a little alarming.

Also, new from Hakugen is this “Hokkairo Eye Pillow.” The pillow, which looks like a typical eye-mask, heats up to an average temperature of 48°C and lasts for about an hour. There is also a small sachet of lavender that slips into a pouch over the bridge of the nose for enhanced relaxation.

Though we prefer the trend towards making re-usable warming products, like Soukai’s microwaveable foot pillow that we covered in the past, it is hard to deny how pleasant an afternoon nap the Hokkairo Eye Pillow seems to provide.

UPDATE: Of course, we don’t recommend the no-hands, eye-covered, relaxing Sunday drive as shown below…(thanks Zainab!)

Nuru Hokkairo hand warming cream: ¥520 for 30g
Hokkairo Eye Pillow: ¥420 for a pack of 3

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Tags: Comfort
Category: Fashion & Lifestyle Trends
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Personal winter heating for pets, people

Written by: Rebecca Milner on December 17, 2007 at 10:08 pm | In Fashion & Lifestyle Trends, Technology & Gadget Trends | 6 Comments

With the health boom in Japan showing no signs of stopping, it is only natural for some of this healthy enthusiasm to make it into the pet goods industry. Now pet supply company Marukan has introduced electric heated mats for dogs.

Heating in Japanese homes traditionally relies on space heating, with items such as kotatsu and electric floor mats being house staples. Of course there is no reason why your pet couldn’t make use of the same heating devices employed by the humans in the house, but that wouldn’t make your dog feel nearly as special.

Other noteworthy new items from the Marukan website include: Lavender herb body shampoo towels, sherbet popsicles, and cute strollers. Keep in mind…These are for DOGS.

The 340×240cm or 430×330 pet heaters go for $55 and $70 respectively.

Jealous of the dogs? For humans, Kiribai now offers “foot steam bath” kits that are actually special boots with liners that emit heat and humidity. Put these on for 30 minute before going to bed to warm-up and relax during the cold, dry winter months. You can even walk in them and put them through the washing machine!

And last but not least, Soukai has these microwaveable pillows for heating up your slippers.

The simple lack of central heating in Japan makes for a wide range of unusual products to keep yourself (and your pets) warm during the winter months when you aren’t under the kotatsu or in front of the heater. Ideally, technological innovation leads the way as seen with Sanyo’s Kairo hand warmer.

Visit our…ONLINE SHOP…Buy cool and trendy gadgets & lifestyle products straight from Japan…fast, reliable and safe…delivered right to your doorstep…

Tags: Comfort, pets
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