A list of intriguing Japanese things

One: The Yoshinogari Historical Park contains the ruins of prehistoric Japan—dating back to the period between 500 BC to 300 AD. The park authorities recently took experiential tourism to a whole new level. They invited seven groups of 19 parents and children to stay overnight—in replicas of ancient pit dwellings—which are pits in the ground covered by thatched roofs:

Donning "kantoi," a simple garment of the times consisting of a large cloth with a head hole in the middle, the participants enjoyed crafting stone knives, making fires and planting ancient rice strains… Recreational activities at the park include casting swords, mirrors, and "magatama" — the curved, comma-shaped earthen "jewels" of the period — in bronze molds.

The lead image gives you a glimpse of replica pit homes and raised huts—which were reserved for rulers. What’s intriguing: the Japanese have turned their archaeological history into an amusement park-like experience—with stayovers, music festivals and even light shows with lantern arrangements shaped like burial urns—which you can see below. (Japan Times, paywall, Kyodo News)

Two: What sounds a lot less fun: vertical beds. Harajuku Nescafé in downtown Tokyo unveiled ‘sleep pods’ for their customers—who can choose to take a quick nap instead of a cup of coffee. The booths are called Giraffenaps—presumably because giraffes can sleep standing up. But humans need a little help:

Sleeping while standing isn’t something our human bodies are designed to do, though, so the Giraffenap provides a little biomechanical assistance. Inside the booth are pads and platforms to support your head, butt, shins, and the soles of your feet. With those body parts accounted for, the designers say it’s possible to reach Stage 2 sleep, a restful pre-REM condition.

The South China Morning Post vid is totally worth a look. (Japan Today)

Three: Nissin Foods has launched a new line of ‘gamer-friendly’ cup noodles. They’re caffeinated so you can stay up all night. And they are “soup-free, so there is no need to worry about getting your hands or peripherals dirty, making them the perfect meal in between game-playing sessions.” Well, guess it’s better than Red Bull Maggi:) 

What amuses us more: The Nissin CupNoodles Museum. You can check out a faithful recreation of the work shed where Chicken Ramen—the world’s first instant noodles—was invented. Hey, better than Steve Jobs’ garage. (CNN)