Everyday, it seems as if we come across products, trends, and even holidays from Asia that gets us quite confused. From fuzzy-hair stockings to an actual single awareness day, Asia never seems short of these bizarre creations. Check out our list of 18 of Asia’s Most Bizarre Products & Trends below. Weird or awesome? You be the judge.
1) The “Liberation Wrapper”
“For years, Japanese culture has encouraged women to strive for “ochobo”, which is described as small and modest mouths… [The liberation wrapper] is a large burger wrapper with the image of a women’s face. The wrapper is meant to hide women as they take big bites out of their burger and to maintain the appearance of ochobo.” Read the full story here.
2) Finger Trap Beauty Test
“The concept is simple: Touch the side of your index finger to both the tip of your nose and your chin. If your lips don’t touch your finger, congratulations! You’re pretty! If they do, well, er … there’s always Photoshop?” Read the full story here.
3) Surgical Masks
“Apparently, there are 5 main reasons for the popular mask trend: for health purposes, to avoid social awkwardness, for warmth, for the lazy, and also apparently in the name of fashion.” Read the full story here.
4) Black Day: Korea’s Single Awareness Day
“As you may have guessed, Black Day is practically the opposite of [Valentine’s Day and White Day]. This is a day for those who did not receive gifts on Valentines Day or White Day. Yup, this unofficial holiday is for single people.” Read the full story here.
5) Double Eyelid Training Glasses
“The glasses are a non-surgical option to create the illusion of a double eyelid. The Eyelid Trainer is worn like any other pair of glasses. Apparently, 5 minutes a day with this contraption will give you the double eyelids you desire. ” Read full story here.
6) Tokyo Street Fashion
“While many people find popular Japanese fashion styles, such as Harajuku and Lolita confusing, New York-based photographer Thomas C. Card was so intrigued by the street fashion that he spent months in Japan to document the various styles.” Read the full story here.
7) Edible iPhone Case
“The Survival Senbei Rice Cracker iPhone 5 Cover is handmade by “Mariko” using only brown rice and salt. For $64, you can have a phone cover that doubles as a tasty snack in case of an emergency.” Read the full story here.
8) Cosplay Graduation
“But the Kanazawa College of Art is not like other colleges. Graduates are apparently allowed to wear absolutely whatever they would like. So what happens when Japanese students have no dress code for graduation? Some of the best cosplay ever.” Read the full story here.
9) The Virtual Girlfriend
“Thousands of men and women of all ages have been captivated by this real life dating simulator, which offers three girlfriends to choose from- Rinko, Nene, and Manaka. All of the choices have different backstories and adjustable personalities.” Read the full story here.
10) The World’s Longest Kiss
“The world’s longest kiss lasted a whomping 58 hours, 35 minutes, and 58 seconds. The record was set by Ekkachai Tiranarat and Laksana Tiranarat during an event organized by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not in Thailand. The annual kissathon competition happens during, you guessed it, Valentine’s Day.” Read the full story here.
11) Snail Facials
“Although some of us may see snails as pesky and slimy or even a delicious delicacy, Japan is definitely transforming the use of these creatures and women are paying a pretty big price for this treatment. One session costs approximately 10,500 Yen, which is about $107.” Read the full story here.
12) Sex Ed For 30-Year-Olds
“The tutorials cost more than $400, but women have been lining up to learn and lessons are booked weeks in advance. Many of these students are 30- to 40-year-olds seeking to decrease their anxiety before their first sexual encounter.” Read the full story here.
13) The “True Love” Bra
“Makers are claiming that the bra is able to analyze how a woman truly feels and will only pop open when the user finds her true love. The lingerie company is marketing the bra as a safety device. Apparently, the bra will ward off unwanted sexual advances and will make sure that all people, except your true love, will not have access to your breasts.” Read the full story here.
14) The Study Cube
“Last year, South Korea’s environmentally-friendly furniture manufacturer, Emok, unveiled the Study Cube, a wooden box just big enough to seat one person in front of a built-in desk. The box comes with a bookshelf, whiteboard, LED light, outlet, and ventilation grill. There’s even a massage bar under the desk that also serves as a footrest.” Read the full story here.
15) Strange Asian Hairdos
“Whether its creepy, funny, or just intriguing to look at, all of these hairstyles are undeniably strange. Although strange hairdos are certainly not something people are born with, a quick google search of “strange Asian hair” is enough to let us know that this is a pretty common search.” Read the full story here.
16) Anti-Rape Stockings
“The most recent fashion creation from China are hairy-leg stockings designed to ward off men and decrease the possibility of rape. The theory behind this creation is that the male will be so disgusted with the appearance of your legs that you don’t have to worry- they wouldn’t want to have a sexual encounter with you anyway.” Read the full story here.
17) Plastic Surgery Television Shows
“The purpose of this show is to “help those with special circumstances or people who are too ugly to feel confident in their life.” The participant facing “special circumstances” will have their plastic surgery sponsored by the television program and audiences follow along during the transformation.” Read the full story here.
18) New Elementary Desks
“Wuhan City, China has introduced these bars into an elementary school’s first grade classroom. Each bar is drilled into the wooden tables of school children in an effort to preserve the eyesight of the students.” Read the full story here.
