I think I have a little dancer like that flinging herself around inside my brain all the time. And, comment back, readers: I’d like to know what you think of the idea of an every-now-and-again SayNoToCrack webcomic. It probably wouldn’t be a storyline or anything, and it might not even be any good (you’ve seen my art already, soo…yeah). But if you’re interested, I’ll give it a try and we can see from there if it’d be worth anything.

That, or Pikachu has a really big belly button. Either way, the Japanese have a strange way of teaching their children about anatomy.

Found at seesaa.net.

There must be a translation problem here. Maybe this is bottled water for your sweaty pet? That, or the Japanese have far worse taste than I thought. So much for my plan to stave off disease by drinking bottled water when overseas. via Tokyo Times

This bowl is part of a spa theme park in Japan, called Hakone Kowakien Yunessun. They also have other themed baths and pools, like this enticing red wine bath:

Any chance this could be made with real red wine? If so, let me know … once this baby comes a weekend spent swimming in red wine sounds heavenly! However, the Ramen Noodle bath will only be available for a few more months, so hurry now before they replace it with something less appealing – like a tofu, seaweed, or just plain water (who would pay for that?)

Pics via Japan Probe

For about $4 U.S., you can have a big hunk of spam, lettuce, tomato, and an over-easy egg. So yummy, you’ll go “Boing” when you eat it.

Anyone know if Freshness Burger still sells Spam Sandwiches?

This squid jerky comes in a handy postcard so you can mail it home or to your friends. Next time you’re in Japan, express your heartfelt affection by sending your loved ones some dried vacuum-sealed marine life. Or just visit the company’s website to order your own.

Link to Squid Postcards via gigglesugar

Too bad I don’t speak Japanese though, as I think he’d have fun with this toilet training book:

The idea of “Hitori de Unchi” (approximately meaning “I poop by myself”) is to show different creatures successfully using the toilet. For example, who better than a cat to teach proper bathroom etiquette?

Talking poop isn’t reserved for the cat either, the poop always gives the pooper some props afterwards:

I love the muscle-flex, nice touch. The full name of the book is “Hitori de Unchi dekirukana zero ichi nisai no hon akachiyan no asobi ehon bo do butsuku” – does anyone know what this means?

Book Link [YesAsia], pics and translation via Knitting While Intoxicated

This year’s must have accessory? This little piece of golden poop:

OK, OK, I don’t know if it’s exactly the “must have” accessory of the year, but the manufacturer has already sold over 2 Million of these poop charms, each for the sole intent of attaching to your cell phone.

For only a few dollars, you can purchase your own at Rakuten. It even looks like they come in nice little displays:

Unless you’re Japanese, I’m not sure how you would go about the purchase, but I’ve done my duty. As the old saying goes: “I can only lead you to the poop, the rest is up to you.”

And for that guy in your life who might want a sportier poop charm, try the poop catcher’s mitt:

Now that’s what I call manly!

via Gizmodo

Not anymore. With the Gotta Go Briefcase, executives with an eye for the top don’t need to waste time tending to their bottoms:

As you can probably tell, discretion was the key objective when Niban Too Corporation of Japan invented the Gotta Go Potty. They waterproofed the containment area, double-sealed the lid, added a fold out leather privacy guard, and even included a cup holder (a diversion tactic the Japanese learned from General Motors … “Oooooh, a cup holder!”).

According to American Inventor Spot, top Japanese business execs actually see a need for this type of briefcase. Given that exceeding the maximum weight of 175 lbs may result in “rupture of waste tank” or “possible bacterial contamination of briefcase contents”, I have a feeling this won’t show up in too many American boardrooms though.

For those of you short on cash or over the weight limit for the Gotta Go Potty, I’ve developed this equally discrete method for taking care of business during an important meeting:

1. Excuse yourself and walk to the nearest corner
2. Pull down your pants
3. Cover your face
4. Yell “Na na nana na, you can’t see me” while planting your fresh potatoes

Works for my 2 year old. Thanks for the tip Michelle!

What kid wouldn’t love to open up their lunchbox to find a tub of rice sprinkled with shriveled green seaweed that somewhat resembled Pokemon cartoon characters?

Or maybe they would prefer Hello Kitty seaweed?

Or seaweed designed to make rice look like soccer balls?

All three odd seaweed products are examples of kirinuki nori, meaning “cut-out seaweed”. They’re also available in generic shapes such as animals, trucks, and airplanes. If I had the patience, the soccer balls actually look like they’d be fun for my 2 year old – although can you really trust seaweed purchased on ebay?

Soccer ball and Hello Kitty are available for purchase here and here. Pokemon seaweed via Kotaku.