Japanese Toys that Changed the Game | Nintendo, Godzilla, Transformers, Ultraman

Today we're at a Vintage Japanese Toy Museum in Hokkaido exploring the innovative toys that changed our world! Toys from Japan have always been creative, from the 1954 Godzilla movie on, character toys sparked the imagination of generations. From cinema and TV, the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s brought us Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Super Sentai and many others still popular today.
The 80s also brought us the Nintendo revolution, a company that started selling cars and paper models to the Ultra Machine and Ultra Hand, it broke out with the Family Computer (Famikon) in 1983 and the NES in 1985 in the USA then the Gameboy which put it all in your pocket.
The 2000s is really the digital age, less toys - more about nostalgia with toys sold as much to adults as kids. The future looks mostly digital and I'll be back for Part 2! Thank you to Matt Alt for making the trip to Hokkaido with me to check out Wakaki-san's store and museum.
Matt Alt’s Book: Pure Invention
📕 www.amazon.com/gp/product/198...
▶︎ www.pureinventionbook.com
Is an amazing look through so many toys and Japanese inventions that changed our lives.
🤖 Visit the Toy&Art Museum 古趣・北乃博物館
📍maps.app.goo.gl/B4iTzBZa77s2o...
If Wakaki-san isn't there, visit his original toy store around the corner or call.
▶︎ phone: [phone] / ワカキ玩具店 store: maps.app.goo.gl/281NhKxcFyHJi...
00:00 Start
01:34 Kaiju | Vintage Godzilla Toys
03:44 Japanese Toy History
05:02 Evolution of Nintendo
06:42 Nintendo's first toy
07:25 Japan's Famicom vs NES
10:06 How Toys R Us Impacted Japan
11:33 Transformer Toys in Japan
14:16 Barbie vs Licca-chan dolls
15:02 Character Toys 1970s-1980s
16:41 Japan Inspired by America
17:53 Japanese Christmas, Santa is a Yokai?
#onlyinjapan #toys

[@AltMattAlt]

Thanks for having me on again. Always a blast! And it was really amazing seeing some of the very same objects I wrote about in "Pure Invention."

[@onlyinjapan]

Matt, Thank you for coming with me to Hokkaido for this Toy Adventure! So much fun!!! Wakaki-san was also super grateful, so happy to spend a day talking about his passion - Toys! 🗳️ Who wants a Part 2? Japanese Toy Evolution 2000-2024, the digital world! ٩(^‿^)۶ 🤖📱

[@Boomdizzle99]

Just bought your book at Kinokuniya Matt! About to start reading it today! Happy New Years to you both! 🎉

[@Rob-hb7wh]

Holy crap! Matt! Dude I love your book and it was so cool to see you on this video!

[@BartHubbard]

Whoa! So great to see Matt Alt on camera. You couldn’t pick a better expert on Japanese toys!

[@Jo-un6es]

HOLY SMOKES you two are key members in my journey to visiting Japan. I watched Only in Japan and Japanology religiously years before going.

[@hopeheavenonplanetearth1417]

I just texted my sons to watch this… We were so fortunate to live in Japan in 80-90. We watch every episode you put out to relive the wonderful memories… Thank you

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank you! I hope your sons enjoy this one ٩(^‿^)۶ I’d have loved to have lived in Japan during the bubble era! Seen what it’s like - some of the stories I’ve heard are incredible! Maybe an episode idea 💡

[@khristalcapapas9171]

If I see them gunpla I'm going there

[@kezbot2]

Toy collectors rejoice! Great to see Matt Alt back to doing what he does best - educating us on all things Japan 😀

[@onlyinjapan]

So right! Matt’s knowledge on this topic is so deep! I was thrilled he could come with me and show these toys to us with a spotlight of knowledge! Saw Wakaki-san museum in a new light.

[@TravisSurtr]

The “ultra hand” is also the name of the tool in Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom where you can manipulate and combine objects in the game. It was named after the original Ultra Hand.

[@UFOBobTV]

Wakaki san’s toy collection is amazing. And Matt’s commentary on their historical importance was fascinating and enlightening. Watching this episode made me feel like a kid again. 😊

[@watchforever1724]

Yeah pretty awesome

[@pinoi78]

As someone that’s been collection Japanese toys for two decades this is a superb look into its past. I loved the history lesson from Matt Alt and Wakaki-san. There’s just something special about the presentation that makes it so friggin cool.

[@Horus070]

Me too granted I only started collecting since 2017 … but have garnered quite a bit through these years. I always loved anime as a kid but never had a chance to get such toys back then …

[@raymondcenteno5835]

There’s something nostalgic about old toys no matter what age you are. Thanks for the episode John!

[@Tradewindsvintagehi]

Kikaida and Kamen Rider!! So popular when I was growing up in Hawai’i ❤️

[@TheChild888]

Thank you John and Matt for bringing this old head of Japanese collectibles and nostalgic of early 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s from Japan back with memories. Man, growing up in Taiwan back in the 80s all of that is part of my life! Albeit is expensive as import toys to Taiwan, but the diecast toys (or Soul of Chogokin, Gokin) is the most memorable along side Famicom Family Computer, which known as Nintendo today.

[@HeavyMetalMech]

My childhood was in the 60's. I remember the stamped metal robots with their lithographed graphics, sparking canons, wind up or battery motors. All very cool, even today.

[@FlameMage2]

Great stuff! I just realized The Great Saiyaman is based off that Kamen Rider! Megatron history was fascinating, and I had no memory of knowing there was a pitching machine in Nintendo's early toy days. I actually learned stuff today lol.

[@alexlee1443]

15:44 Super Sentai and Kamen Rider were the reasons I first got into Japanese culture. Thank you so much for doing this.

[@darktetsuya]

Santa as a Yokai? sure I could see it, haha. Definitely a lot of love for much of the stuff that came outta Japan... Something I certainly never knew about was the paper toys out of nintendo! like I knew about the board games and some of their other early toys after the playing card stuff, but that was new to me! Grew up with the NES so been a fan of theirs going on almost 40 years now! also cool to see all the other stuff like transformers, gundam, power rangers/kamen rider and of course godzilla!

[@QalinaCom]

it feels like you could make several more episodes on toys... So much more in this museum!

[@seiya880]

I love Japanese toys! Every time I go to Japan, I come back with at least one suitcase full of toys

[@TorToroPorco]

Nice of Matt to come along for this tour. Their history is such an important part behind the story of toys. The Nintendo paper models are so cool especially with the retro graphics and fonts.

[@onlyinjapan]

Couldn't agree more!

[@john-sp8jk]

​@@onlyinjapan I really love this video! I love Japan and the Rich history of their toys! Whare is this toy store museum in Japan at?? I wish you would have dived deeper into those diecast metal robot toys also known as the showgun warriors!🤖

[@funkmachine9094]

when i was a kid in the 80s in paris i use to watch a japanese show called "BIO-MAN" and that show blew my mind! and i had some of the action figures from the show as well! it was way before power rangers that the u.s later adopted.

[@Jim58223]

Wish toys like these were still made in Japan. Much higher quality.

[@LemifromJapan]

I've never seen so many private toy collections! Wakaki san must be so happy to have you as gests and introduce his collection to the world!😊

[@onlyinjapan]

The benefits to being a toy store owner! He talks a lot about this in the interview. I’ll release it tomorrow on ONLY in JAPAN GO! channel.

[@Kosherart]

Thank you, Kanai-san for donating Sailor Chibimoon’s first wand & Super Sailor Chibimoon’s Crystal Carillon to the museum! I’d recognize those girls’ toys anywhere! 😊

[@onlyinjapan]

Kanae 👩🏻 was surprised you knew exactly what it was! 😂

[@Kosherart]

⁠@@onlyinjapanI’m just an old Sailormoon nerd, that’s all. 😅

[@007007gf]

Amazing collection. He will be having more visitors to his store. Everyone loves toys sometime in their life. And then having the toy expert, Matt Alt is icing on the cake. Matt could not blink. Great job. Great video.

[@nepaliunderratedmusic]

80s/90s Japan and Hong Kong were so good!

[@ShaunChee1998]

One of my favorite lives u ever done with the Hokkaido toy museum! Love that u revisited

[@vegnewb]

Those little one game LCD games were widely available in the US too.

[@daudselex6576]

Nice, so nostalgic 😊

[@mekabruh6922]

This has to be one my favorite episode of Only in Japan ♥

[@iancowan3527]

I still remember the crazy in USA toy stores after the first Transformers... Japanese toys, robots, space ships, and those that were both in one! And saddest to me - what was low quality then - is super deluxe by today's standards! Thank you for walk down memory lane! Bless you...

[@jjdinanno4147]

Nailed all my 80s nostalgia here! Fantastic video. You had a clip of the Japanese release of Destro from the GiJoe A Real American Hero line. Those were my favorite toys as a kid. They were very popular all over the world. As an adult collector of those toys now, that Destro is a rare find! Video games, and specifically the NES, ended my toy phase. So great to hear and see that history in the video. Had no idea. ❤

[@johnnyseawalker3634]

This is super fun! Thank you John! Another popular toy is the Kinkeshi or Muscle figures back in the day. I'm referring to the little rubber/eraser figures that were a hit back then, and are still enjoyed today by toy collectors. These were based off of the Kinnikuman comics which is making a comeback in the animé scene. I would like to see you meet the authors, the dynamic duo called "Yudetamago", someday. Cheers again John! 🎉 My Grandpa who I used to show your videos to on Chromecast past away early this year. Which is why I haven't had the energy to go on KZbin the past few months. He was one of my mentors and best friends. He's the reason why I was able to experience Japan in my childhood, buying and discussing Pokémon, Godzilla, and Japanese culture the whole while. It was 1998 that time and I almost went to school in Japan. But now that I'm back and watching your channel, I feel less lonely and reminisce the times I was watching it with my Grandpa. I also watched your channel with my family and introduced it to my Mom and Dad during the pandemic. Hope we get to meet someday John! God bless you and your family, always! 🍻

[@mokisan]

This was so good to watch! Probably my favorite video by you John! I wish it was longer 😊 Thank you for making it

[@onlyinjapan]

That makes me so happy! Thank you for watching and I plan to make a part 2, the digital era is this one does well.

[@mokisan]

@@onlyinjapan that would be a treat to watch 😄 Thanks!

[@ThePaulz80]

I was grow up with Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, Ultraman, Macross, Gundam, Dragon balls and Diaclone in the 80's before American take over toy markets.

[@annedugan3161]

What a marvelous experience and story. There aren't many toy stores left and this made me remember the awe and excitement of going to one as a kid. Thank you for another great opportunity to see the past and origin of many many toys!!

[@user-cn6de7xe2o]

Oh my gosh- this is wonderful!! I'll have to show my son and husband when they get home. Thank you!!

[@kurtisgillen7658]

This episode makes me very happy and nostalgic. Great video John.

[@MazinGo-1972]

Very lovely place. The Nintendo paper car reminded me of the Lego car that I was gifted for Christmas.

[@teresa_davis]

Oh my goodness..LOVED this video!!! So much history…I leaned a lot! Thank you!⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@Kelvin_Foo]

Great episode, John! Also thanks to Matt Alt who provides a lot of background information on the various toy franchises. Fun Nintendo Fact: The Ultrahand, the Game and Watch, that D-pad on the Famicom controller and the Game Boy were all designed by the late Gunpei Yokoi (1941-1997). In fact Nintendo's move into gaming happened when the Nintendo president saw Yokoi experimenting with the Ultrahand back in the 1960s.

[@carolineindacityphx]

Oh my. This was a walk down memory lane. The toys and their history are fascinating. ❤ Thank you for showing us Wakaki-San's amazing toy store! 🥰

[@ironreaver4589]

Omg this was a really awesome episode as a collector but also a treat to see Matt! I loved his attack books! Didn’t sleep on the flight back after picking up his books at Narita Airport.

[@AltMattAlt]

Honored to hear that! Thank you!

[@colincofield3747]

That's it. Wakaki-san's Museum and store is now on the.....Bucket List. Also, Godzilla featured in 1954 in Japan but same the film but with Raymond Burr aka Steve Martin 1956 in the USA.

[@jamesnewman4351]

Thanks for this! I collect the transformable robots from the 70s and 80s , Daitarn lll ,Trider G7 , God Sigma , Daltanius. What wonderful Memories!

[@tokugeeky2931]

Aw man to see all those Kaiju and Ultraman toys across the era is so cool!

[@ericng7015]

I see that Wakaki san keep on updating the toys collection here, not limited on the vintage era, he even has the relatively new lines there

[@onlyinjapan]

Some things, yes - his toy store is mostly selling vintage stuff. He knows the process and value now. I’m happy for that, never close the original toy store! We need stores like this to root us to our past.

[@stephenfreeman8617]

Excellent video John. My sons were born in the early 90’s and grew up with these western versions of these toys. They now live in Japan 🤷‍♂️ . The museum guy is a cool dude full of knowledge and stories. ☝️🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@gabrielshepard]

There is a lot of amazing plastic history here!!!! I so wish I could go back to the days when transformers and GI Joe were the big thing!!! There was so much to look forward to historically, looking back at it. We had NO IDEA what was going on and how much all those toys would be worth these days!!!!!

[@nunodeazevedo]

Great episode John, toys are no doubt the few things that connects us to our past and our childhood, bringing up memories and stories. 👌🎄 Thank you

[@shannondore]

I'm a toy collector so this is right up my alley. I've been waiting for this episode ever since you mentioned your dear friends toy museum. I love this!!😄

[@onlyinjapan]

Inside story: he sold some of his best items to buyers about 20 years ago - I am glad we could go have a close look. Wakaki-san picked me up hitchhiking 20 years ago in 2003 and it’s amazing to repay that kindness with this episode.

[@shannondore]

@@onlyinjapan I'm glad you did John, it was awesome.😊

[@hitachicordoba]

As someone with shelves of hundreds of Gundam/mecha robot shokugan figures, diecast cars and LCD Game & Watch handheld games, this video is a treasure! Matt's book is a great read too!

[@AnnisaNew]

Thank you guys for giving us this amazing video❤

[@aubreyharper4829]

Bro that first Nintendo Family Computer was like the stereotype for Wii, they were waaaaaaay over it's time! 👏🏻🤯

[@CardinalKaos]

My goodness Mr. Daub what is this video upload frequency!?!?! Note: this is not a complaint, this is just delightful shock! It always brightens my day to see youve published again, and tbh I could use all that brightness I can get cause this year hasnt been so great for me. But your videos always entertain, and to me theyre like a cozy pot of tea. They just make ya feel good. You and your team are just the best on YT!

[@onlyinjapan]

I’m thrilled it brightened your day, brought some smiles and good energy! I met Wakaki-san 20 years ago when he picked me up hitchhiking and to come back and show his museum to everyone in a mini documentary is a good story for me personally to end this tough year. I hope people come to visit him, he’s such an amazing man with unlimited knowledge on Japanese toys, seen a lot! I’ll be back to visit him again soon, this town is not far from Sapporo and has one of my favorite onsen!

[@hellohi821]

A history of toys! I especially liked the history of Nintendo: I always learn something new with your videos. Nicely done! 👍

[@joecrews7632]

What a fun video - thanks John, really enjoyed it!

[@filippoBTV]

Thanks for the video John. You should ask Bandai if they will allow you to make a video there. Gunpla are a huge thing 😉 Happy Holiday.

[@1ChilledDude]

As something of a toy collector myself, I've been waiting for this one. A lot of these are super rare!

[@biancajune8963]

I was awed to watch this! Very cool and nostalgic!!

[@rfcg462002]

One of my favorite episodes. The nostalgia hit me so hard that I need more of this type of videos. I've been here since Toby the crow btw.

[@Prof.Rui_BastoDaSilva]

Thank you for this video. Took me down memory lane and tears in my eyes. Thank you, once again, for meaningful work. Kudos John and everyone involved!

[@Michael-td9nj]

Great episode!! So thrill to see those vintage toys. Hehehe…. During the introduction of Ultraman, was the shaky part an effect to the clip or accidental. Love ❤ it. Have a great and enjoyable holiday

[@JenniferNg0529]

I loved this episode! It's so nostalgic seeing all the toys I grew up with in America. I didn't know Transformers was of Japanese origin. Please make more of these videos!

[@WMARUoriginal]

This was fantastic John! Really hope to keep seeing these in-depth videos on here and not just on Go. This is top notch stuff!

[@dimsumoffun6932]

Man, we love John doing more short form content again.

[@sujoyteslesl]

Looks like I have a YET ANOTHER new favourite video on this channel. Looks like Melody Roads has been bumped down a peg. And Matt Alt is such an awesome guest on these things. Your channel is a great place for knowledgeable guests like him.

[@betsysalmorin4176]

I love this episode!!! Keep it up guys!!! 😊✌

[@banjohead66]

Collabs with Matt Alt are always A++!

[@mastermavrick]

Ah, all those boxed Gundams & Moblie Suits

[@onlyinjapan]

That was with Peter in 2022, this was shot last month 😉 I went back to make this. I’m sure to be back again!

[@mastermavrick]

@@onlyinjapan Oh gez..talk a about a misremember when thinking on x video released during Covid. Thanks for the correction, but happy to see you there again. Was a better peak/overview of the collection with more info.

[@acejon2162]

Finally! i was wondering when he'd go back to the store. I"m a toy collector, collecting mostly Japanese robot toys like the Godaikin, Takatoku, Bandai Soul of Chogokin, Transformers, Macross, Gundam (toys & model kits), original HCMs, Neo Beast Wars, Ultraman etc. Also collects Playmobil, Lego, anime figures, Masked Rider etc.

[@KaufmanD9988]

Wow! Love the video! Wakaki-san and Matt are amazing! Thanks so much John, and happy New Year to you and your family.

[@jkoadventures7401]

Sugoi! This is amazing historical account of the evolution of the Japanese toy industry. Love the vintage ads & videos of the original toy series. Excellent documentary! Thank you so very much! 💞💞💞

[@thecostumelady123]

Amazing video, thank you! ❤

[@captnjaygreybeard6394]

My first robot toy was a Robotech Valkyrie in the 80's

[@n7d2]

懐かしい！ほとんどおもちゃ買って貰えなかったけど 超合金のおもちゃ、モンチッチ、リカちゃん 買って貰った時はめっちゃ嬉しかったな。

[@ShaunStephens777]

This is a video, I’ve been waiting for 😁

[@CollideWithTheSlope]

I bought Mr. Alt's Yokai Attack book (at 3:50) from Kinokuniya or Periplus (i forgot where exactly) back in Summer 2019, it's a really informative book with lots of cool & colorful yokai drawings...such a fun read. It's so nice to finally see the author here in this video, he's just really knowledgeable about these kinds of stuff!

[@AltMattAlt]

Thank you very much!

[@CollideWithTheSlope]

@@AltMattAlt You're very welcome!

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Pretty amazing! Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@calvinthurston1441]

Love you John! And the entertainment! Hope you and yours were good for the holidays!!!

[@jasonmaitoza6713]

That was a fantastic episode; very cool and informative. You guys make a great team. Thanks for sharing your day with us. 👌

[@teomai]

Like 50% of the toys mentioned in the video I had owned it or seen it in my entire life. My first video game console was Atari (it was a present from my aunt), then the fami-con (the one in this video), Gameboy Advance Color, those little handle games (the one with just one game), Transformers toys (from Japan & it was kinda expensive) and so much more to list on 😅 Thank you John for this video. It brings back a lot of memories (my childhood) and if you're wondering, I was born in the late 70's. So, yeah, I'm old 🤣🤣

[@onlyinjapan]

Atari never took off here, that was American (with a Japanese sounding name) 😂

[@teomai]

@@onlyinjapan I'm not in Japan nor from Japan 🤭 I'm from the Land Below the Wind.

[@MrDboydeluxe]

Very well done! Entertaining and informative

[@KennethTakanami]

Great video. Huge fan of Matt Alt! His book Pure Invention is a must-read.

[@AltMattAlt]

Thank you so much! I’m honored.

[@exosapiens2509]

What an amazing collector but furthermore, what a great message of peace and love while connecting to others through a passion many of us share. Long live the toys we grew up with and the communities guarding them.

[@ShaunStephens777]

Now I want to visit this museum, when I come to Japan 😁

[@onlyinjapan]

Wakaki-san has welcomed a lot of visitors since I streamed this place a few years ago. He’s a kind soul, very informative! He picked me up hitchhiking in 2003! I know he’d be glad to have you visit.

[@ShaunStephens777]

@@onlyinjapan thank you for sharing that story. Is that when you first met him, during your hitchhiking?

[@john-sp8jk]

And the 60s & 70s were the Golden era greatest era of those Japanese toys and games!

[@generalshakewell]

I just love your videos. There is something so pleasant about your personality that just makes your videos shine.

[@onlyinjapan]

Thank you! I love every one of these episodes and hope each one is special, giving insight into what makes Japan, JAPAN 🇯🇵 each a step forward to understand this country better and it’s SO MUCH FUN! I learned a lot making this too.

[@jordanpurcell7354]

Another amazing video!❤

[@ramsessilent]

Always love seeing the shop! Wakaki-san's shop and museum are amazing I would to have many of the transformers, robotech and battletek transforming models before they were called by those names in the U.S. thanks for the share! stay awesome!

[@tsaabit5080]

Wow i love vintage toys and this episode makes me so excited, thank you john!!

[@TheElnots]

Amazing video thank you very very much!

[@davidfabella1]

Love this! such a cool history lesson

[@FlippytheMasterofPie]

What a character Wakaki-san is! He could have his own show

[@onlyinjapan]

100% yes on that!

[@Brandania_moble]

What an amazing gem!! I must go and visit Wakaki-san on my next trip. This brings back many childhood memories and makes me want to dig out some of my old Nintendo game systems. I think I still have them. Somewhere 😆 . I'll send you pics if I find them! Thank you again John 😃

[@BrickMuffin]

I LOVED THIS!!! Thank you so much. I cant wait to take my little girl there some day!!!!

[@robertmcintyre3405]

My Dad was Airforce from 60s to late 80s. We were stationed in Okinawa from 73 to 77. I sill have my toy treasures from Japan... Honda 3 wheel pedal scooter, Ultraman die-cast figures, kids size papasan chair, ect.... Best time of my life was in Japan... ty for this window to my past...

[@fredericksweet]

Was waiting on your return to this place. I remember seeing your first stop there a long time ago.

[@nelstalgic7878]

as a toy collector myself.. i really enjoyed this episode ✨✨✨👍🏼

[@moritaagishta6190]

Excellent video thanks for sharing.

[@etherdog]

I read Matt's book last week and it is a great insight into the post war culture revolution. A very well written book, informative, well researched and with citations. I cannot recommend it highly enough!

[@michaelsasano8622]

Aloha John! My oh my! I was looking forward to watching this video and as always, you've created another fantastic one! I loved this so very much. Seeing some of the toys and recognizing many of them brought back so many great memories of my childhood. I actually still have a few of Nintendo's handheld games like the Game and Watch and even the ones with a dual screen. I could see myself spending hours in this toy shop and I'm sure I'd find a few to buy just to relive my youth. Thank you so very much for always putting a smile of my face with your edited videos. 🤙 Mahalo my dear friend!

[@onlyinjapan]

Mahalo Michael! This one is a stroll down memory lane for our generation! History for everyone else 😂 it was great to work with Matt and see my friend Wakaki-san again.

[@michaelsasano8622]

@@onlyinjapan 🤙❤️

[@jennifersantos3918]

Nice video! This place looks like lots of fun.

[@AnntheConqueror]

Transformers godmaster ginrai in the intro ! Nice ! Great video full of nostalgia !

[@onlyinjapan]

Yes! We were hoping some people would notice it! “Transformers” BEFORE Transformers! It shocked me to learn the background on this!

[@AnntheConqueror]

Agree I was fascinated myself when I learnt that too (years ago I'm old lol) and the the evil diaclone bots where call waruder. Thanks for a great video !

[@wendylaya]

Awesome new video, John! 😊