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We recently visited the renowned Gashapon Store in Ikebukuro and it was the perfect activity for a rainy day in Tokyo. Growing up in Japan, we have so many fond memories of our grandma giving us 100 yen to purchase a toy from a Gashapon vending machine.

You will almost always find a Gashapon vending machine strategically placed right in front of a check-out register at a family restaurant. You can pretty much spot a Gashapon machine all over Japan inside airports, shopping malls, supermarkets, and even outside.

Gashapon, or capsule toys, are an integral part of Japanese pop culture, and this store truly captures the essence of this phenomenon. With over 3,000 machines filled with small toys, figurines, and other collectibles you can spend an entire afternoon (or day) here. 

Whether you’re a fan of anime, manga, video games, or quirky collectibles, there is something here for everyone.

LOCATION

The Gashapon store we visited in Ikebukuro is called the Bandai Namco Cross Store. It’s located on the third floor inside a large department store called Sunshine City. Coming from Ginza, we took the Marunouchi line on the subway and got off at the Ikebukuro Station. From there, it was a 12-minute walk to Sunshine City. This is when having a Pocket WiFi came in handy to help guide us.

You can also take the Yurakucho Line and get off at the Higashi-Ikebukuro Station. From there, it will be a 7-minute walk to Sunshine City. If you are taking JR’s Yamanote Line, it will be a 13-minute from the Ikebukuro station.

The Bandai Namco Cross Store comprises of four sections: Official Shop Area, Event Area, Amusement Area, and Gashapon Area. We mainly explored the Gashapon Area since that was our main focus and took a quick look at the other areas.

ATMOSPHERE

The entrance has a row of displays showcasing a variety of prizes and goods that are inside the Gashapon machines and shops. There was also a photo booth area where a phone stand was available for customers to use if they wanted to take photos without assistance. We thought this was a thoughtful touch since finding others to take photos is not something everyone is comfortable doing. 

Once we entered the Gashapon Area, we were immediately immersed in a vibrant and playful atmosphere. There are over 3,000 Gashapon machines, with an impressive variety of products, each promising a unique surprise. 

We noticed that some of the machines were duplicates. We figured that these machines were more popular, so they placed a few of them throughout the store just in case one of the machines were running low.

Bandai’s website promises that their Gashapon machines have the latest popular products offering a wide range of themes and characters to choose from. You can even do a search on Bandai’s website to see which products are currently available.

OUR FAVORITES

Many of the machines offer various types of keychains or figurines. In 2020, stores in Japan became legally obligated to charge customers for plastic bags, so we noticed that many of the Gashapon machines now have eco-bag prizes. We don’t really care for the figurine prizes and prefer prizes like this that we can actually use.

Since there are over 3,000 Gashapon machines, there were signs to categorize the different sections. This really helps if you are looking for a specific item. Crystal is a fan of anime, so she was on a mission to find her favorite anime characters from Chainsaw Man, Bleach, and Spy x Family to name a few.

Candy likes Spy x Family and the classic Dragon Ball Z, but the sound-making Gashapon toys were more appealing to her. Apparently, these types of toys have recently been trending and she got sucked into getting the public bus “request stop” button. Growing up in Japan, it’s such a nostalgic and quirky toy.

We had a great time checking out the various anime and unusual Gashapon machines. The one Gashapon we regret not getting is the Finger Pants Gashapon. We didn’t realize how rare this prize was because we couldn't find it anywhere else. 

COST

The cost of individual capsules can vary, but the average price is 300 yen. The cheapest you’ll find is probably 200 yen. We found the prices to be reasonable considering the quality and uniqueness of the items.

At this Gachapon store, there is a Premium Gashapon section that offers prizes that cost more than average. Currently, the most expensive Premium Gashapon machine is 1,500 yen.

There was a Spy x Family Premium Gashapon for 800 yen that we both tried. The prize was a plush 3D keychain of the Spy x Family characters. We didn’t get the character we wanted; however, we were impressed by the quality of the product. 

CAPSULE POINT STATIONS

Instead of just tossing the plastic capsules into the trash bin, there are several Capsule Point Stations throughout the store. It’s definitely a fun way to recycle and makes throwing away trash a fun experience.

CHANGER MACHINE

There are several change machines, which are called Changer, throughout the store. Some Changer machines are a bit more sophisticated where you can select the type of coins you want to convert.

For example, some Gashapon machines like the premium machines require 500 yen coins, so you’ll want to find a Changer machine that exchanges 500 yen coins and not 100 yen coins.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE

Our time at the Ikebukuro Gashapon store was an absolute delight and we had several moments where we couldn’t stop laughing at the ridiculously silly prizes that some of the machines offered. Candy initially had no intentions of spending money here, but that quickly changed.

The experience of inserting coins into the machine, turning the handle, and then anticipating the capsule’s descent creates a sense of surprise that is such a stimulating and engaging experience. 

It was an escape from the ordinary where we indulged in our inner child. The affordability definitely makes it easy to experience the joys of collecting and experimenting with different Gashapon machines.

Whether you’re a seasoned Gashapon collector or simply looking for a unique memento or souvenir from Japan, this is a destination you don’t want to miss.

BANDAI NAMCO CROSS STORE
World Import Mart Building - 3rd Floor (MAP)
3-Chome-1-3 Sunshine City
Toshima City, Higashi Ikebukuro
170-0013 Tokyo, Japan
Hours: Everyday 10 AM - 9 PM

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