Experiences – Life – Inspiration 🇨🇭🇯🇵

5 Japanese Inventions That Impacted My Life The Most

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Karl

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While living in Japan now, it came to my awareness that there are several Japanese inventions that heavily influenced my life in the past and continue to do so today.

Let’s hop right in and see what they are.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): The NES, released in 1983, revolutionized the video game industry and laid the foundation for modern gaming consoles and franchises. As an 80s child, I spent hours playing the Game & Watch series, which are imprinted as my first gaming experience. #Nintendo #Gaming

Sony Walkman: Introduced in 1979, the Walkman transformed the way people listen to music, pioneering the concept of portable personal audio devices. Listening to music on the Sony Walkman was a life-changing experience for me. Everywhere I went as a kid, whether by public transport, bike, or skateboard, I took the Sony Walkman with me while listening to my favorite music on cassettes.

Instant Ramen: Invented by Momofuku Ando in 1958, instant ramen revolutionized the food industry by providing a convenient and affordable meal option that has gained popularity globally. Something my mom taught me to make at an early age when I was hungry was instant ramen or instant noodles. It was a staple food in our kitchen at home for when we were hungry in between lunch or dinner time.

Shinkansen (Bullet Train): Introduced in 1964, the Shinkansen was the world’s first high-speed rail system, setting new standards for speed, safety, and efficiency in train transportation. While my first Shinkansen trip was in 2017, this experience was and still is an impressive one. Back in Switzerland, as a kid, I enjoyed going on train trips with my dad. Traveling by Shinkansen still gives me a memorable and joyful experience here in Japan. Not so much so in the Netherlands, on a side note. #Transportation

Digital Camera: Japanese companies like Fujifilm and Sony played a crucial role in the development of digital camera technology, which has revolutionized photography and imaging worldwide. Perhaps digital cameras are taken for granted nowadays because all smartphones come with digital cameras built-in. However, my first use of a digital camera was an exciting one because, for the first time, I could take and delete as many pictures without worrying about whether a shot was taken well or not. Before that, I occasionally used a Polaroid camera or a Fujifilm camera, which wasn’t as enticing for me personally. Photography came more into my life with the invention of digital cameras.

So there you have it, these are the 5 most impactful Japanese inventions for me. Naturally, there are many more Japanese inventions, and this brings me to my question for you. Which Japanese inventions have impacted your life the most? Let me know in the comments! #JapaneseInventions

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This blog is for thoughtful adults who are starting again — in learning, creativity, or life — and want to grow steadily without noise or pressure.

Here you’ll find daily reflections and practical guides shaped by lived experience. The focus is on learning through doing: building consistency, adapting to change, and finding clarity in everyday practice.

The stories and guides here come from real processes — creative experiments, hands-on projects, life in rural Japan, working with nature, and learning new skills step by step. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is polished for performance. The aim is steady progress, honest reflection, and practical insight you can actually use.

If you’re curious about life in Japan, learning new skills at your own pace, or finding a calmer, more intentional way forward, you’re in the right place.

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