If you've ever traveled to Japan, chances are you've bought or at least heard of the famous souvenir, Hiyoko Manju. But here's a fun fact: this adorable chick-shaped treat actually comes in two versions – "Tokyo Meika" (Tokyo's famous confection) and "Fukuoka Meika" (Fukuoka's famous confection). Despite their different origins, they look almost identical, making it nearly impossible for the average person to tell them apart by eye alone.
Recently, Japanese X (formerly Twitter) user "チョコボール開封おじさん（@chocoballGT）," who goes by "Chocoball Unboxing Guy," shared his latest wild invention: a "Fully Automatic Hiyoko Manju Authenticator." This ingenious machine can identify a Fukuoka Hiyoko Manju hidden among a group of Tokyo Hiyoko Manju on a rotating platter.
And here's where it gets even more absurd: whenever the machine successfully detects a Fukuoka Hiyoko Manju, a nearby Chocoball box automatically opens! It's a bizarre yet hilariously linked effect that's sure to get a chuckle.
▼Detect a Fukuoka Hiyoko Manju, and a Chocoball gets unboxed!
This information-overload machine quickly went viral, leaving many Japanese netizens scratching their heads. Some laughed, saying they couldn't imagine anyone even thinking of building such a device, calling it "terrifyingly creative." Others jokingly suggested it should be nominated for the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize.
As for how the machine differentiates between the two Hiyoko Manju, the creator revealed the secret: a subtle difference in color. Fukuoka Hiyoko Manju are ever-so-slightly darker than their Tokyo counterparts, and the authenticator uses this tiny variation to make its judgment.
The creator, who calls himself the "Chocoball Unboxing Guy," has been uploading daily photos of himself unboxing Chocoballs on X for years. No matter where he is or what he's doing, he makes sure to eat a Chocoball every day. To prove he's opening a fresh pack daily, he often gets creative with his unboxing scenarios.
▼Unboxing a Chocoball while donating blood
▼Unboxing a Chocoball at a live concert
▼Even while planting sweet potatoes, the Chocoball ritual continues
By the time he created this fully automatic Hiyoko Manju authenticator, he had already consumed his 4,488th pack, a streak lasting over 10 years. This long-standing dedication and perseverance might just be the secret ingredient that fueled the creation of such a wonderfully weird machine!