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352gachapon stores listed

A small, fun treasure hunt that has become a must-do on a Japan trip.

What is gachapon? How to play Japan's capsule toys, and where to find the biggest stores

Put in coins, turn the handle, and out pops a capsule with a small toy inside. In Japan it's loved by kids and adults alike, and dedicated stores line up hundreds to thousands of machines.

Where are you heading? · most listings first
Or head straight to a mega store
  1. How to play

    Each turn costs about 200–500 yen. Most machines take 100-yen coins, and stores have change machines. Cashless machines are growing too.

  2. Endless variety

    Anime characters, ultra-realistic miniatures, animals, food-shaped keychains and more — with lots of new lines every month.

  3. Great souvenirs

    You never know which one you'll get until you open it. Small and light, they make popular travel souvenirs.

How to play

  1. 01
    Pick a machine

    Each machine shows the items inside and the price on the front panel.

  2. 02
    Get coins ready

    Most take 100-yen coins. Use the store's change machine to break notes.

  3. 03
    Insert the coins

    Put in the amount shown. Some machines also take cards or IC transit cards.

  4. 04
    Turn the handle

    Turn the handle clockwise until it clicks, and a capsule drops down.

  5. 05
    Take your capsule

    Open the little door at the bottom, take it out and twist it open.

  6. 06
    Return the empty capsule

    Most stores have a box to recycle empty capsules.

Find the biggest stores

Other areas →

Ikebukuro6Shinjuku5Akihabara4Asakusa4Harajuku4Kichijoji4Machida4Shibuya4Kinshicho3Odaiba3Tachikawa3Ueno3

All in Tokyo →

Frequently asked questions

How much does one turn cost?

Usually 200–500 yen. Very detailed items can cost more.

Can I pay by card or transit IC card?

More machines accept them every year, but many are still coins only, so carry some 100-yen coins.

Gachapon, gashapon, gacha-gacha — what's the difference?

They all mean capsule toys. Some are toy makers' brand names; in Japan people mostly say “gacha” or “capsule toys”.

Can I choose which item I get?

No — it's random. That surprise is part of the fun.

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