How to Take a “Breather” in the Age Without Smoking Breaks: Trying JT Subsidiary’s Eye Mask That Rests You with Heat and “Inaudible Sound”

A quick rest mask

Smoking breaks were once a common way for workers to take a pause. Most people no longer smoke, so many now struggle to find a good way to rest. The writer tested Relaxonic Cover, a speedy rest mask made by MENTAGRAPH. MENTAGRAPH is a fully owned subsidiary of Japan Tobacco. The mask warms the eye area and plays sound through speakers near the ears.

Key facts

• Crowdfunding on Makuake ran from March 27 to May 18 last year. The goal was 500,000 yen, and about 4.7 million yen was raised.
• Amazon began selling it to the public in November. The regular price is 27,500 yen.
• The mask heats the eye area to about 40 degrees Celsius.
• You can set rest times of 5, 10, or 20 minutes, or choose your own time.
• The mask won the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026.

Why rest is hard to plan

The writer visited a company office in Shenzhen, China, in 2025. There, a lunch nap is a normal habit, and the lights go off at lunchtime. Some people lie down on nap mats under their desks. However, the writer notes that a short 10 to 15 minute lie-down may not leave everyone feeling refreshed.

Why it matters

Busy workers need short breaks that really work. The writer plans to test how well the mask helps, using a one-week trial. The product shows how a short, planned rest might replace old habits like the smoking break.

What to watch

• Whether the mask's "refresh score" from a face photo matches how people actually feel.
• How well the ultrasonic sound, which the skin feels rather than the ears, works in daily use.
• Whether the price of 27,500 yen is worth it for regular users.