Starlit Bathing

Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

Remember that scene in A Beautiful Mind when Russell Crowe traced ducks and umbrellas out of the night sky to make Jennifer Connelly fall in love with him? Well, that was the ’50s, when you could still see stars from a courtyard in a big city and, um, there were such things as courtyards. But times move on, and now you don’t even need a skylight to enjoy the stars at home, thanks to Sega Toys’ new mood-maker, the Homestar Aqua. Produced by world-renowned planetarium innovator Takahiro Ohira, this sleek cylinder projects a vivid rendering of the Milky Way, with a focus feature that allows you to adjust it to any size of room. It’s even waterproof, meaning you can use it while taking a bath. Smart and romantic—without the schizophrenia.

Homestar Aqua, ¥3,990. Available from toy and department stores.