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Power tools

Japan is a nation that does many things rather well. Here we profile a few problem-solving products to tackle some of life’s trickier challenges – oh, and a banana holder.

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Blue and white Mantensha instant beer cooler with spinning handle containing a chilled beverage can and ice.
Instant beer cooler
Mantensha
Place a can in the cooler with some ice then spin the handle for 90 seconds for a quickly chilled drink.
mantensha.co.jp
Black Axe Yamazaki sewing machine with yellow thread spool and control dial on white background.
Sewing machine
Axe Yamazaki
A stitch in time saves nine and this sleek sewing machine is great for beginners. Made by a 75-year-old company from Osaka.
axeyamazaki.co.jp
Stainless steel flask by Design Works Ancient, a lightweight 180ml takeout coffee holder.
Flask
Design Works Ancient
This is the lightweight solution for holstering a takeout coffee. The svelte, stainless-steel number holds 180ml.
poketle.com
Hario coffee set with glass dripper, white ceramic mug and paper filters.
Coffee set
Hario
A thermal mug, filters and filter holder from a historic glass-maker.
hario.com
Yellow ventilated banana case by Skater with decorative dots and text embossed on the side.
Banana Case
Skater
Banish blackened bananas from bags with this ventilated case.
skater.co.jp
Tsumiki wooden building blocks designed by Kengo Kuma, made from cedar by More Trees Design.
Tsumiki
More Trees Design
A classic toy made from cedar, designed by Kengo Kuma.
more-trees-design.jp
Red Asahi Kasei Saran Wrap clingfilm box with yellow text and Japanese characters, 50m size.
Clingfilm
Asahi Kasei
Fed up with those ridiculous tangles? Japan’s biggest-selling film is easy to use.
asahi-kasei.co.jp
Green quilted cycle mitts with tan interior and Blue Lug branding label.
Cycle Mitts
Blue Lug
Parents who use child-carrying mama-chari bikes appreciate mitts that attach to the handlebars; this is the cool version from cycle shop Blue Lug.
bluelug.com
Two cute egg-shaped onigiri holders by Hakoya with happy and angry faces, one cream-colored with yellow handle.
Onigiri Holder
Hakoya
A staple of the school bento (lunchbox), the onigiri is a seaweed-wrapped rice ball, usually triangular. These cases keep them in perfect order.
hakoya.co.jp
Brown Sengoku Aladdin portable gas cooker with mesh grill top and control dial.
Portable gas cooker
Sengoku Aladdin
A fixture in Japanese households. This retro model comes from Sengoku Aladdin; the colour is exclusive to Beams Japan.
aladdin-aic.com; beams.co.jp
Lucano step stool by Metaphys, a black multi-functional footrest and stepladder hybrid.
Lucano step stool
Metaphys
Footrest? Stool? Step? You decide. The Lucano takes the mini stepladder to the, ahem, next level – in many colours and sizes.
metaphys.jp
Pair of white Marna bathroom slippers with slip-on design viewed from above.
Bathroom slippers
Marna
Essential for cleaning a bathroom. Easy to slip on and off. Most importantly, they keep feet clean and dry.
marna.jp
Mori Mori LED lantern speaker with yellow base and clear glass shade with lit candle-style bulb inside.
LED Lantern Speaker
Mori Mori
What’s not to like about this snug led lantern, which doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker? Adjustable light casts an appealing glow.
mori-mori.shop
Marna tap-cleaning cloth with cream ribbon and textured gray surface for cleaning faucet backs.
Tap-cleaning cloth
Marna
Made in Japan by Marna since 1872, this cloth does one job well: cleaning the back of a tap.
marna.jp
Panasonic cordless air massager with gray fabric exterior and silver interior lining.
Air massager
Panasonic
Too much desk work? Slip into this cordless contrpation to loosen the tight muscles around your pelvis, hip and thighs.
panasonic.co.jp
Any Box modular storage unit by Think of Things with gray compartments and metal handles on casters.
Any Box
Think of Things
You can create your own configuration of folders with this home or office storage solution from Kokuyo.
think-of-things.com

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