Gacha-Gacha
Gacha-Gacha or Gachapon (also called Gashapon) are capsule vending machines found all over Japan. Inside the plastic ball is a mystery toy, collectable or even facecloth!
Gachapon is onomatopoeia for the sound made when turning the handle of the machine ‘gacha’ and the sound as the ball comes out of the chute ‘pon’.
Our kids spent hours and hours looking for specific machines, the Gundam was always a rare find!
Gacha vary in price generally from ¥200 to ¥500 with the more expensive ones being higher quality.
They make fantastic souvenirs and presents for the kid’s friends. If you have younger kids they make great toys for longer trips or the flight home.
Gacha machines can be found in many convenience stores and random streets all over Japan. Akihabara has a row of Gacha machines that give kids more choice than they could ever need!!
Baskets on top of the machines allow for the Gacha balls to be recycled.
Both Narita and Haneda airports have a number of Gacha machines, the perfect way to spend your last ¥ before the trip home.
