We’ve discussed the concept of localized heating in Japan before, through the use of kotatsu hot tables and especially kairo personal warmers, which have recently been applied to everything from eye masks to slippers. With the regular deluge of clever new products hitting the shelves come winter, it is easy to overlook the hot water bottle. Though perennially popular, this classic reusable personal heater has been gaining shelf space following the recent eco and artsy-crafty trends.
We spotted these hot water bottle covers doubling as stuffed animals at a train station variety shop, reconfirming that nothing says comfort like a plush character toy.
By “artsy-crafty,” we mean the increasing presence of handmade looking water bottle covers spotted at retail and online. A new website called Cuseberry launched last month features a selection of original handmade water bottle covers.
In addition to 100+ different designs, the site features copy full of now familiar phrases like “environmental responsibility” and “peace of mind.”
In fact the whole concept and layout is reminiscent of the My Napu site we covered this summer, as the key idea of the current marketing of hot water bottles is to replace the throw-away plastic hot kairo used for the same purpose. Prices for a Cuseberry water bottle starter kit including two covers starts at ¥5,229 (about $50).
