Never Forget It Again (Well, Mostly!): Try This Unexpected ADHD Hack from Japan!
- Phoebe Stevens
- Jun 25
- 5 min read
Hey neurospicy brains! If you’re anything like me you’ll have those days where you leave the house and suddenly can't remember if you grabbed your phone, or if you even locked the back door? 👋 Yeah, the 'out of sight, out of mind’struggle is real for us ADHDers. Our brains usually have a million thoughts on the go, and sometimes those crucial little details just… vanish from our memory. So finding new strategies to navigate those frustrating ADHD moments? That’s a game-changer.
But what if I told you a simple technique, borrowed from Japanese train conductors (yes, really!), could seriously level up your memory and reduce those frustrating forgotten moments? Stick with me, because this might be your new favourite ADHD hack! 🚂
My Unexpected Discovery (Thanks, Arcade Games!)
This awesome discovery came during my first trip to Japan. As a massive train nerd, I was already buzzing with excitement about their public transport system. Seeing how awesome and efficient all their trains were in person was even better than I'd imagined! (Did you know each train line has its own unique design, and you can even collect stamps and merch at each station? I've got a whole book of them)
What i didn’t expect was how the train station staff would deliberately point at things! I saw conductors pointing at the platform and then at signs for train. Inside the train cab, drivers would point at their controls and signs outside. On the platform, attendants would gesture towards the train and then specifically at the doors before they opened or once they closed. With each gesture, the staff would clearly call out something about what they were focusing on (unfortunately my Japanese was not good enough to understand what, though!)
Later, at one of the many (many, many) multi story arcades I visited. I stumbled upon a train simulation game called “Densha de Go” (coolest thing ever by the way!). Turns out some arcades have a small standard machine, but then there are some that have these huge booths that look just like a conductor's cabin, with three screens and full controls – absolute heaven for hyper focus! Of course I immediately jumped in, ready to conquer the tracks. But for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why I wasn't scoring full points. The whole game was in Japanese, so reading the instructions was out! After much time deep-diving into Reddit threads (thank goodness there's one for everything!), I finally discovered the secret: I wasn't pointing and calling! Which lead into a huge research rabbit hole to figure out what on earth that was!
Fast forward like 2 years, and I realised I'd accidentally implemented what I learned that day in my own life without even thinking about it! Suddenly, those frantic 'did I forget something?' moments before leaving the house became a thing of the past. Why? Because I'd started using this technique: pointing at my phone and saying "Phone!", touching my keys and saying "Keys!", walking to the stove at the stove and announcing “Off!", and even the back door with “Locked!". It was a simple sequence that totally changed my morning routine.
What is 'Pointing and Calling' (ADHD Style)?
This method is known as Shisa Kanko (Pointing and Calling), and at its core, it's a safety method that’s about avoiding mistakes by pointing at important indicators and verbally calling out their status. It's brilliant because it activates multiple senses to make you more mindful of what you're doing. It was originally implemented in Japanese railway systems in the early 20th century. It’s an insanely effective method; In fact, research from the Ergonomics Laboratory at the Japanese Railway Technical Research Institute, reported by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, found that this method can reduce human error by a massive 85% for simple, repetitive tasks. Imagine making 85% less mistakes….
For our ADHD brains, it’s like creating a conscious, multi-sensory anchor for those slippery thoughts and actions. It turns passive observation into active engagement.
Okay, the train nerd part is done now; let's get to the practical bits. Here’s the simple version of how you can use this:
POINT: Physically point your finger or hand at the item, area, or task.
CALL OUT: Verbally state what it is, what you're doing, or what needs to happen.
It feels a bit silly at first, I know! But that's part of the magic 🪄 it breaks you out of autopilot.
How to Make It Your ADHD Game-Changer:
This isn't just for trains! Here's how to weave it into your everyday ADHD life:
Leaving the house: Point at your keys and say, "Keys!" Point at your AirPods, “AirPods!" Point at your phone, "Phone!" Point at the door, “Locked!" 🔒
Turning off appliances: Point at the stove knob, “Off!" Point at the hair straightener, “Unplugged!" 🔥 (No more 'did I leave it on?' panic!)
Taking medication: Point at the pill bottle, "Medication!" 💊
Switching tasks: As you finish one task, point at it and declare, "Done!" Then point to the next task on your list and say, "Next!" This clearly marks transitions.
Quick Check: Could this ADHD memory hack help you?
Do you often misplace or forget items?
Do you frequently leave the house and wonder if you turned off your hair straightener?
Do you struggle with transitioning from one task to another?
Why It Hits Different for ADHD Brains (and maybe your Autistic brain too!)
This works because it combats our ADHD brain's tendency to skip steps, get distracted, or put things down mindlessly. By engaging your eyes, voice, and even your hands, you create a stronger, more memorable imprint of that moment. It's a fantastic external processing tool.
For our ADHD brains, which often have a 'leaky' working memory and struggles with sustained attention and switchingtasks, 'Pointing and Calling' acts as a powerful external anchor. This practical technique offers a powerful, everyday strategy for managing those tricky executive function challenges, providing immediate ADHD support where you need it most. It's one of those simple ADHD treatment strategies that empowers you directly. It helps to bridge the gap between intention and action, reducing reliance on overloaded internal executive functions.
And for those of us (or our friends!) whose brains appreciate systems, order, and precise actions, this method can feel incredibly satisfying and grounding. It brings a comforting ritual to otherwise chaotic moments.
Your Turn!
Ready to give your brilliant brain a new hack? Try incorporating the Japanese Pointing and Calling method into just one tricky part of your day; maybe remembering your lunch, or ensuring the door is locked when you leave it the morning. You might be surprised how a simple point and call can make a huge difference!
Want more neuro-affirming strategies like this to simplify your daily life and truly thrive with your ADHD brain? If you're seeking real, practical ADHD help and ADHD support that moves beyond just coping, my coaching offers tailored ADHD treatment strategies to build personalised systems.
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Want to Dive Deeper?
For those interested in the fascinating history and of Shisa Kanko beyond ADHD, you can find a more in-depth explanation here
Remember: You're not broken, and you're not alone. Your brilliant brain just needs different instructions sometimes.
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