A Rinkya Blog

Japanese Gadget/Object Revealed!

2009-07-13T08:00:00.000-07:00

It holds your CDS!

Product Page order via Rinkya Stores!

[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget/Object!

2009-07-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

I love this pretty design from Japan, but what is it's function?

Have a wonderful weekend!

[Japan][gadget]

Soap Making Kit- Kawaii Fruits & Sweets!

2009-07-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

This soap making kit from Japan is easy to use and you can create the cutest soaps with the molds.
Is it wrong I want this when it is marketed for little girls?

It looks good enough to eat!

Comes with everything you see above, shown above is the sweets soap version, the fruit one comes with different colors and molds!

Fruit Product Page
Sweets Product Page

Kawaii Blog Posts:

Taiyaki Making Kit!
Fruit Post it Notes
Measuring Tape
Chopstick Rests
Totoro
Kitchen Timers
Panda USB

[Japan]
[kawaii]

Hello Kitty X h. NAOTO

2009-07-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

Hello Kitty turned 35 this year and in celebration, special edition Hello Kitty items are coming out!

Famed Japanese fashion designer, h. NAOTO, collaborated with Hello Kitty (again) to bring another line of Hello Kitty specials.

Check Out Sanrio for all the goods! Order via Rinkya Stores!

h. NAOTO on YJ
Hello Kitty on YJ

Check out many more Hello Kitty posts:
X Japan & a Punk Hello Kitty
Hello Kitty Disaster Kit
Hello Kitty Gold Cellphone Strap
Hello Kitty Cat Costume

[Japan][hello kitty][h. NAOTO]

Don't Sweat The Recession, Wipe Your Face With 10000 Yen!

2009-07-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

You may not have a lot of 10000 yen bills hanging around, but at least you can look like it with these handkerchiefs.

You get a whole bank bag of ten 10000 yen cotton bills.

[Japan][gadget]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

2009-07-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

It holds an umbrella upright!

Product Page

Here was our past guess the gadget featuring an umbrella holder!

[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

2009-07-03T08:00:00.000-07:00

I have a couple hints- it is NOT a candle holder and the function of the object (the answer :) has been featured before on a Guess the Gadget!

Enjoy the holiday weekend (if you are in the US), Happy Independence Day!!

[Japan][gadget]

I Want Fruit Shaped Post It Notes!

2009-07-02T15:07:00.001-07:00

These are so freaking cool!!

Designer D-BROS, you can get one piece of fruit or buy a crate of 6!

Product Page purchase via Rinkya Stores!

More Awesome Beautiful Design From Japan:
Hidden Broom
Eiffel Tower Clips
Wine Vase

[Japan][design from japan]

Innovative Plug Power Strip!

2009-07-01T13:33:00.000-07:00

This plug is a great alternative to bulky power strips and is another ingenious gadget from Japan.

It holds 4 outlets and will fit smoothly anywhere. Only 3150 yen from product page, purchase via Rinkya Stores

Cute Cord Organizer
Another Wire Organizer!

[Japan][gadget]

Golf Lovers, Another Way to Distract Yourself at Work!

2009-06-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

If your office does not have room for a small putting green, get this mouse and mouse pad instead. Comes with a mini club and ball!

2940 yen each and for those late nights, it glows in the dark!

Many more golf items from Japan:
Practice Putt in Bathroom
Snoopy Stamp Your Golf Ball
Star Wars Exclusive Golf Set
Butt Golf Tee Holders
Bikini Golf Tees

[Japan][gadget][golf]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

2009-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's a lamp base!

Product Page

[Japan][gadget]

Take Your Dogs to Work Day!

2009-06-26T13:43:00.001-07:00

Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day!

Since I mostly work in my home office, except when I visit Japan, my spoiled dogs are always with me, so to celebrate today I will "Take Them To Work" and you can meet them here!

Our beagle is always hard at work near me:

The 70 pound "baby", who often pouts from the lack of attention during the work hours:

Any readers take part in this event?

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

2009-06-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

This fist shaped gadget actually does something. What is it?

Have a great weekend!

[Japan][gadget]

Shiso Pepsi Reviews Are In!!

2009-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

The summer limited edition Pepsi Shiso release came out on June 23rd and the trusty Rinkya staff obliged to a taste test and review!! Shiso is a common herb used in Japan- on salads, sashimi (my personal favorite use!) and even on pizza!

In the beginning, there was some excitement:

Then some perplexity & curiosity as the sense of taste travels to the brain:

And our apologies to Pepsi Japan, but the final analysis led to our staff rebelling:

Comments regarding taste:
"If you are in a desert maybe it would be good and you had nothing to drink"
"Medicine taste, but makes you feel worse"
"Tastes like a leaf, oishikunai (doesn't taste good")

Shiso IS a leaf, so it seems like Pepsi succeeded there!

Other Rinkya Staff Reviews!!
Pepsi Blue Hawaii Review
Pizza Hut Double Roll Pizza

[Japan]
[shiso pepsi]
[japan weird food][pepsi blue hawaii][pepsi][pepsi cucumber ice]

World Cup USBs- Remove Heads for Storage!

2009-06-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

The soccer players (or football players as they are known outside US) of Italy Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, & Croatia have never looked so good!

Only 2800 yen each! Order via Rinkya Stores via Product Page!

More USBs from Japan:
Transformers Revenge of the Fallen
Cat Tail
Car USBs
Post It Note USBs
Glowing Squid USB
Lego Brick USB
Humping Dog Jump Drive
Disney Thumb Drives
A Collection of Wacky USB Drives!

[USB Drives][Japan]
[world cup][Jump Drives]
[Thumb Drives][Computer]

Official US Ponyo On A Cliff Trailer!

2009-06-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

Check out the trailer on Apple!

Hits theaters August 14th!

Ponyo on YJ!

[Japan][Kiki's Delivery Service][ Spirited Away]
[My Neighbor Totoro][Miyazaki][Studio Ghibli]
[Ponyo On A Cliff]

Japanese Gadget Revealed!

2009-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

Holds all your vitamin and pills!

Product Page via Rinkya Stores!

[Japan][gadget]

Guess the Japanese Gadget!

2009-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is much cuter than the one I use!

What does it do?

[Japan][gadget]

Vending Machine Must Haves in Japan!

2009-06-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Vending machines are hugely popular in Japan and they are not your average vending machines with just sodas and snacks.

Fresh farm eggs, toys, flowers, ramen and much more can be found while traveling throughout Japan.

The image above taken by a Rinkya staff member is an umbrella vending machine. I love these, as I am not used to rain so I am always unprepared.
After many vacations all over- you would think I would be prepared- however, I get stuck paying some ridiculous amount from a street vendor when the rain comes, they figure a dumb tourist has more money on them!

The umbrella vending machines range from 400 -1000 yen, but in a pinch 400 yen is a great deal!

Manga vending machines are all over as well- it is great to pick up a book for a rainy day!

Fake Vending Machine Hides you From Criminals!

[Japan]
[japan gadgets]
[vending machines]

Kawaii Bowling!

2009-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Make bowling more fun and kawaii with this panda set! So adorable!!

More Kawaii Blog Posts:
Measuring Tape
Chopstick Rests
Totoro
Kitchen Timers
Panda USB

[Japan]
[kawaii]

A Scrap Booker's Must Have!

2009-06-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I do partake in scrap booking sometimes :) and this is such a cool little gadget from Japan!

You can easily make shapes or trace things with the handy paper cutter. Much easier than scissors!

Product Page Only 1575 yen with a small handling fee from Rinkya Stores!

[Japan][gadget]

Japan Likes Their Piggy Banks Fancy!

2009-06-15T07:00:00.001-07:00

These piggy banks are dressed in jewelry and heels for a fashionable display!

More Pig Items From Japan
Check out the Piggy & Elephant Humping Banks!
Pig Measuring Tape
Pig Ear Phones!

[Japan][gadget][only in japan][piggy banks]

I Have Found Your New Broom!

2009-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

It is items like these that make me fully appreciate the functionality of Japan design.

Take a boring, ugly, but necessary function such as a broom and dustpan and
Torel, an awesome Japanese design company, creates a colorful object that hides the mess and can look good in a corner at your house.

Turned at this angle, no one can tell what it is!

Product Page via Rinkya Stores

[Japan][design from japan]

Meanest Prank Gadget EVER!

2009-06-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

At least for me that is...

A HUGE flying remote controlled cockroach!

Yeah, it is obvious it looks like a big huge plastic thing but if this came at me I would run away screaming!

Product Page via Rinkya Stores

Other Scary Gadgets From Japan:

Gross Roach Keychain
Remote Controlled Rat!

[Japan][gadget][remote controlled toy]

Rinkya Collector's Corner- Murray's MIJ Guitars!!

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you Murray for taking the time to share your love for Made in Japan Guitars!!

How and why did you start collecting Made In Japan guitars?

After around ten years away from guitars I had the urge to start playing again. So I bought an acoustic from my local music shop. But I soon felt the need for an Electric. I purchased one from a UK source and then discovered it was Made In Japan.

I scoured the Internet for information on it and found the Fernandes Guitar forum, which was in its last days before closing. Lucky for me there was a link to a new Forum (Japanaxe) that specialized in MIJ Guitars so I joined up. All of a sudden I found a whole new world of guitars that I had no idea existed, within a few weeks my knowledge on MIJ had grown in to an “I want some of this passion”

One of the guys posted a link to a site called Rinkya. So I took a look and saw some great prices and decided to try and win an auction

Before I knew it I had bought 4 or five and the collection had started...

What makes MIJ special?

MIJ guitars are so well made that the copies eclipsed the originals. In the early 80s the big brand names sat up and started to pay attention to these great copies before starting lawsuits against a couple of Japanese companies who quickly made some small changes to fend off the pending lawsuits.

The Big Brand names were still very impressed with the craftsmanship and quickly contracted the Japanese companies to make guitars for them.

On top of the great Craftsmanship, MIJ guitars were a bargain next to what were really inferior models. For now MIJ guitars are tops in both quality and price.

Is there a particular guitar name/brand that you collect?

How I wish there was but I am afraid it is a few brands. I do tend to stick to Burny Greco and Orville although there are a few other brands and a few more that I would love to add to the collection. It is very addictive you know!

How large is your collection?

At the moment it is 30. On occasion I let the odd one or two go to new homes so I can fund more collectible models as they come up for auction

What is your “dream” guitar?

Gosh that’s a hard one, as every time I think I have it the bar moves.
But most of them (my dreams) come from my teenage years.
Before MIJ it was a Gibson Les Paul, which of course is a U.S guitar.
I realized that dream through Rinkya and the dream became an Ibanez Destroyer that soon followed the Gibson. As dreams should never end I still have a big want list!!!

What is your favorite guitar that you found thru Rinkya?

Again a hard one to answer but if I had to choose I think It would have to be the Orville by Gibson LPC57B that has just arrived.

What advice would you give to new collectors?

First of all I would recommend spending a few days just reading the Japanese to English translations as the complexity of the Japanese language can throw up some strange spellings that are easy to work out when you have been around them for a while.

Next research the model you are interested in thru forums like Japanaxe, the Guitar Grounds and the Tokia forum where you can get loads of great Information.

Finally I would recommend you have a price in mind that you want to pay. So, if you don’t win this one you will win one in the end. Don't get impatient. I can go a couple of months chasing a guitar before I get what I want but it is worth the time.

What are the pitfalls of guitar collecting and what should be avoided?

I don’t think I would recommend Pitfalls and avoidances as Guitarists are all different and look for different things in their instrument.

Oh hold on I know a pitfall……. It's extremely addictive!!!!

LOL- Thank you Murray for the awesome interview and a glimpse at the wonderful world of guitar addictions!!

Visit Rinkya for all your Guitar needs and if you visit JapanAxe forums- check out elainerinkya, she can answer all your questions!

[Japan][MIJ guitar][gibson][les paul]