For all that glitters IS gold! This could be the new adage if the current trends around the world are anything to go by. With the soaring rates of the yellow metal, folks have suddenly realised that it makes for the best investment choice available today. On top of this, gold makers and jewelery brands are leaving no stone unturned to further promote the golden cause. Recently, it was a hawk-shaped golden figurine spotted in Hong Kong that is worth $6,290. But it is Tokyo that is the centre of our focus today.

The most hi-end district of the capital city of Japan, Ginza saw the Tokyo Gold Week exhibition which was organised with the sole purpose of encouraging folks to buy more and more gold. A 15 kg pure gold artifact made many a heads turn. Then it was the Tanaka gold jewelry shop that had gold ingots collected form various countries spread out like a casino table.

Again, the exhibition did much to change the popular conception that gold is meant for women alone what with child actor Seishiro Kato wearing a pure gold bow tie. This was made from pure gold fibers by Japanese bullion house that goes by the name of Tanaka Kikinzoku.

Via amazingimageworld

Recession might seem like one big joke to those in Tokyo. Well, we don’t mean to only refer to the 12K yen that government shelled out per person in Japan to aid in the financial crisis, but also to the marketing strategy adopted by French jewelry store Mauboussin. Believe it or not, but as part of the launch of its new store in Ginza, the brand gave away 5,000 diamonds for free.

Each diamond was worth 0.1 carat with a cost of $55. This strategy was used to encourage people to invest in luxury gems during the hard times. But we do have serious doubts about the finances of a company who is offering diamonds like promotion cookies.

As a matter of fact, the little show went down pretty well with the public who waited patiently outside the new store. But there was a catch here too. The brand was also offering the prospective customers a chance to make the free diamonds into rings of pendants for a fee of $520. A very unique thinking  that sure got everyone’s attention across the world.

Via japantoday

Too goofy becomes cool! Yep, that is the funda if the Japanese electric car Eliica is anything to go by! Designed by a team of students led by Professor Hiroshi Shimizu at Keio University, Tokyo, the Electric Lithium-Ion Car (ELIICA) prototype has been around since 2003.

The design of the car is absoultely unique. It comprises of eight wheels with the axles one in front of the other. All four tires in the front turn simultaneously to give a good steering radius. Now they are working on giving the same edge to the rear wheels for easy parallel parking.

Promising an amazing acceleration from 0 To 62 in just 4 seconds, the Eliica surpasses even the Tesla Roaster. The Speed model was designed in 2005 with some extra techology that ensures longer range and better handling. The speed right now is 230mph, but the team wants it to reach 250mph and create a world record. On the other hand, the Acceleration model gives a top speed of 120mph.

The development costs are around $400,000 but the market price (if the car ever gets there) is estimated to be close to $255,000.

Via zoomilife & trendsupdates

Robots will one day overtake human beings, so say the Science Fiction writers. We have been laughing at them for ages but their prophesies have been coming true time and again. At Tokyo’s CEATEC conference, the new age Ms. Robot, MechaDroid Type C3 has been launched. MechaDroid is the robot receptionist that claims to be more effective, punctual, careful and pleasant than her human counterpart.
Receptionsts typically meet hundreds of new faces everyday, so much so that, it becomes difficult to recognize each and every person. But MechaDroid has been inbuilt with a unique face recognition technology. It has a number of other useful features that makes it truly worth spending $28,000.

This news reminds me of my University days when I played the role of Sulla, the receptionist in a production of Karel Capek’s RUR. It amazes me how the Czech writer predicted a future nearly 100 years forward as he wrote the play in 1921! And What scares me is that the play ended with a rebellion by the Robots. I wonder if MechaDroid also demands worker’s right in times to come! Chuckle!
Via techfresh

Have you ever comes across any product that shields you against frequent mood swings or protects you from harmful cellphone radiation? If you are curious about the existence of any such product then look forward to the Beauty World Japan exhibition in Tokyo that lately unveiled this bra designed utilizing snake oil tourmaline trinkets. Tourmaline is considered as a “miracle electric stone” that fights against harmful radiation coming from cell phones and stops them from entering into your body, thereby improving moods and burning stress. Called the “La-la” tourmaline bustier, manufacturers believe this would counteract harmful emissions by discharging fields of negative ions.

Via 3Yen

Featured above is another luxury product inviting people in a mood to burn their spare amount of dough. Measuring 66cm tall and weighing 57kg, this elephant shaped liqueur tantalus is a striking creation by French luxury crystal maker Baccarat. Exhibited at the Baccarat’s exhibition and Tokyo’s Mitsukoshi department store, this masterpice is up for sale demanding a hefty price of 63 million yen ($612,000).

They say original piece of crystal encrusted elephant bathed in pure gold carrying four decanters on its back, was especially designed and developed for the Paris exposition in 1920 and countee 17 models were replicated.

Via MSNBC

If you want to celebrate the birth ceremony of your one-year young kid in an elite manner, then only read further; otherwise free feel to move to my previous post or wait for next one.

This 18th century wooden cradle clad with gold plates and embedded with a total of about 2,000 gems of diamond, ruby, emerald is displayed at the “Treasures of the Topkapi Palace and the Magnificent Ottoman Dynasty” exhibition in Tokyo.

Besides this, around 140 treasures from the residence of the Ottoman Empire, the precursor to the Republic of Turkey, including the cradle are exhibited.

The occasion is to celebrate the birth of Prince Hisahito on 6 September 2006 to Princess Kiko, the wife of Japanese Emperor Akihito’s second son Prince Akishino.

These riches will be on for demonstration from 1 August to 24 September.

The chair is escalated with two huge speakers on its head. The leather made couch offers an elite experience to its customers by providing them with the private theater ambience for music, games and movies.

Imagine your pet dog (Simba) sleeping on the lap of your catty. Its possible now with the Sanrio’s first-ever elite dog house designed to express love for your pets at JUST $31,660.

The company gives credit to its renowned fictional character by adorning the cushion with the face of Kitty. Implanted with almost 7,600 Swarovski crystals, this designer bedroom for your dogs will be available for sale later this month. The makers of the cartoon-cat together with maker of high-end pet goods have designed it specifically for a sales event at a Tokyo department store.

Sanrio spokesman Kazuo Tohmatsu has been quoted by an agency as saying that it is an innovative technique to add water to the burning boom of luxury couches for pets.

Hello Kitty is the most well-known of many fictional characters produced by the Japanese company Sanrio. Hello Kitty was created in 1974 by the Sanrio Company of Japan in Tokyo, Japan. Registered in 1976, Hello Kitty is now a globally known trademark.

Via Allheadlinenews.com

Japanese local hotel chain posing in a golden bath made of 18-karat gold and stainless steel during a promotional press preview to attract customers at a jewelry shop in Tokyo. A bathtub just like this one made of gold has disappeared from the Japanese resort hotel, police said 30 May 2007, adding they had no clues to help them catch the cunning thief or thieves. The 71-centimetre (28-inch) long tub weighs 80 kilograms (175 pounds) and has an estimated value of 120 million yen (one million dollars).