Gachapon: Capsule Toy Adventure in Akihabara

Gachapon is toy capsules from coin dispensing machines that are found all over Japan. What's unique is that they don't only have high quality anime figures and other surprises, but they're loved by adults as well as kids! Japanese love the mystery of the what's inside that gachapon capsule.
Gachapon items are collectables. Some have value and many sell out fast. The name "gachapon" is actually an onomonopia - it comes from the sound the machine makes when you turn the handle ("gacha gacha") and the capsule hits the bottom ("pon").
Akihabara is otaku central and host John Daub meets up with reporter Satsuki Uno and reporter Kai Okudara from Tokyo University. Together, the trio go deeper into the mystery of the gachapon.
At Akihabara's Gachapon Kaikan, we find and highlight several interesting machines among the 530 in the shop.
Are you ready for some otaku adventure that's Only in Japan? Don't miss this!
Do you want to cut open a Gachapon machine and see WHAT'S INSIDE? • What's inside a Japane... We CUT
URL:
Akihabara Gachapon Kaikan / 秋葉原ガチャポン会館
www.akibagacha.com/
Google Map: goo.gl/maps/z4ox7
▶︎ Visit a Japanese Game Center in Tokyo with Retro Games!
• Japanese Retro Game Ce...
▶︎ Watch this Gachapon shop in 360 virtual reality video on my channel here: • Gachapon Capsule Toy E...
Music:
Amazing 8-Bit tunes by Teknoaxe
/ teknoaxe
This show has been created and produced by John Daub. He's been living and working in Japan for over 20 years and regularly reports on an International TV Show for Japan's International Channel.

[@Turtrain]

To do list for a day to this store: -Stressing out over which machine I should use -Getting my money drained -Bitching over not getting the one I wanted

[@Lydomina]

+Thomas T. Play Shenmue 1 and 2, it will prepare you for the frustration :D.

[@AnnAnime]

lol I know right!!

[@gblock4ever]

+Lydomina haha, I cheated and used pro action replay so I'd have full sets on there. I probably spent a good hour or two after just looking at all the gashapon from the various sets you could collect on Shenmue 1

[@ArtIsDrawing]

+gblock4ever i spend all day there!

[@Lydomina]

gblock4ever So much harder to find vending machines in Shenmue 2, and getting a "fair" price(lol) from the pawn shops requires a lot of looking around as well D:.

[@gladitsnotme]

I would literally go bankrupt in that shop.

[@MikeWeiner]

Same!

[@c.9900]

Same

[@lavenderkkittenvideos]

They need these in America! We have capsule toys, but nothing this awesome!

[@majormana1]

Are capsule toys can't even entertain a 3 yr ild for more then 30 seconds such garbage

[@CattyMintgum]

all we have in america are false teeth and tiny bracelets...I would love to get some of these around here!

[@luisareyes3523]

Actually they have a store at LA called morning glory and have only 6 or 8 of these machines there but I find the stores products better then the machine.

[@john_titor1]

Asian Dogeee ʘᴥʘ Styleee Yes, because we must be spoiled if we can't afford very expensive trips to japan just to get a little dinky keychain.

[@hipsterfreek3511]

You do, spread that inferior complex!!

[@AshleyReinhardt]

I wouldn't mind wasting my time & money in that shop. It's rare to see them in the US. Gotta catch'em all! :3

[@ChangThunderwang]

I know, in Japan it is normal for adults to buy this. But, when I get one from the super market, people look at me funny...

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

You can honestly never grow up in Japan, and many foreigners living here never do! -John

[@sunnydeyz7420]

I'd probably end up spending my yearly allowance on this shop.

[@majormana1]

And ours are full of junk

[@PuPpEtHeAd]

u mean.. "gacha" catch em all? XD

[@cedar951]

6:10 SHE HEADS STRAIGHT FOR THE SOUL GEMS!!! SHE IS MY NEW FAVOURITE PERSON!!!

[@nickolas.h]

Ikr??✨

[@nickolas.h]

Ikr??✨

[@usagifelton]

lol, I totally want to go now...

[@givenspade]

Ikr

[@roryyymercury8709]

spend 5 bucks?

[@mwrshall]

Same. XD

[@Sara-ql3ni]

army!!!

[@TropangKabalen]

Your a fan of bts right

[@sjsnowowl996]

Gosh, I remember watching these videos with my sister and wishing we could be there. It’s amazing how time passes so fast that this video is now seven years old....

[@Paulygon]

The NES-101 Controller keychain was by far the coolest!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thank you for the support, Chris! Means a lot. Having a lot of fun with the series ... maybe too much fun! -John

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Want more gachapon? I recently collaborated with KZbinrs Lincoln and Dan from WHAT'S INSIDE? during their trip to Tokyo. Yes, we CUT OPEN a gachapon machine!! Check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXixdHqXeb2Xr5Y -john

[@marleelenny9145]

Yes! Wish we had them in America!

[@ResidentNotEvil5]

Gachapon they didnt bring it to singapore when alot of teenagers crazy about japanese anime

[@PotatoCheeks]

+Marlee Lenny I actually saw a few Pokemon themed ones in my mall in california

[@terramvqs]

Where do u buy the machines?

[@numanshah5276]

I watched it. You were so amazed by how plastic it was lol

[@Rosella0706]

3:17 omg i nearly fainted when I saw the DokiDokiPrecure! poster on the right :DDD

[@MrBannnnnny]

Life is like a gachapon machine you never know what you are gonna get

[@R.Sakurai]

Great 　！！！

[@moony2210]

Hey, a nice reminder of my visit to Tokyo! I still have the cat gachapon on my keyring! Thanks for the 200yen to buy it, and thanks for putting me in your video! :D

[@skyjustwantsasnack4476]

How was your trip , I like the keychain u got

[@maizywooper2558]

I love how Kai was trying to play down how desperate he was to collect all the different ones! haha. Hope he succeeds :)

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Hi Astroboy3507! Thanks again for watching! WAO RYU is focused on otaku / fashion themes right now but I'll propose the idea to them. I did 2 ramen shows for NHK World -- it was awesome! Google "Tokyo Eye" and search the "achieves" for 3/14/2012 --> Ultimate Ramen! Definitely send your ideas to me and I'll try to make a show from them :) -John

[@madisonmartin7720]

There's nothing like watching a video on Gachapon, and coming across your Scottish ex in it. What a trip! ちょう変でしたよ！！！！！！

[@justaguitardude]

Madison Martin wow, what are the odds. time to buy a lottery ticket :P heh. life sure is a trip. heck i had no clue what the gachapon was till clicking on the video. I just found this channel.. its well done, and very interesting topics.. hope you are having a great week. rock on.

[@NicoleTheeHomebody]

LMFAO😂😂😂😂

[@RainyRunningRiver]

Madison Martin if hes the twig wearing a ghostbusters shirt with his blue haired land whale- you doged a bullet.

[@danamadeleineermita8849]

😂😂😂

[@AhidoMikaro]

Fatty

[@michaelpark5681]

1:04 Let's play the 'find the serial killer' game.

[@skrvvvb]

?

[@typoprone]

+I An So Skrub The kid scowling at the camera at the center of the frame. lol.

[@DubstepMan-qw1jo]

+Michael Park he was creepy . " dont mind me guys im just staring :I "

[@FBIINFORMANT]

It'll be fun :D

[@fawadali2844]

Hi

[@ArtIsDrawing]

I would spend all day there and probably waste all my money! lol OMG DO THEY HAVE FAIRYTAIL?!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+GetInspiredWithArt - It may be limited to few places, but definitely there- WAORYU staff

[@jpocampo9918]

same fairy tail is bae

[@mintyplayz3089]

Spend All of your Yen

[@soubhadramaiti1996]

Thank you so much John for such videos. I really appreciate almost all of your videos, thank you. Please keep sharing such experiences.

[@wiilover07]

That would be so addicting!! Haha. There used to be those machines in a movie in my town in Minnesota in the US and they had Animal Crossing and Mario character Keychains. I have a bunch of them.

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

wiilover07 Thanks for watching! Maybe those Mario keychains may have added some premium if they were classic ones! All of a sudden, Gachapon with key chains have disappeared (maybe because of the cost?) -WAORYU staff

[@jorgeacosta2532]

+WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN is there dragonball z stuff there

[@timothyli-dark_smilez6410]

+WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN thanks for making this video I tried finding this on Google but I couldn't also I love Japan

[@Bristecom]

+wiilover07 Japanese are good at creating addictions. Just look at Pokemon. Gotta catch 'em all! :P

[@ViraRiva]

HOLY CRAP I NEED TO GO TO THAT GACHAPON SHOP!!!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

It's AWESOME!! -John

[@F0r3v3rT0m0rr0w]

Gota catch em all ... Gachapon!

[@vigilantiz]

Thank you for making this video. I Went to Tokyo last month, and i found the Gacha-Shop you showed in this video. I had a great time there.

[@netacid11]

Can't believe I missed this vid for so long. Really awesome. I recently bought a bunch of half-scale Bandai Capsulestation machines for my home office for fun. With so much to offer in those stores full of machines, I know I'd eventually find one or two machines that would cause my financial downfall :) Awesome video. Thank you!!

[@GaryHardin]

Now this would be fun here in the states..

[@sevkips4952]

When they say it’s “only in japan” Random toy shops in the Philippines: are you sure about that

[@netnoob77]

Was just at this same shop a couple of days ago. Met the owner that was featured in your video. Very friendly and approachable. Highly recommended to visit this place if you are ever in the area.

[@817GhostMC]

I love Tokyo and your channel is great! Came here from What's Inside, Subscribed!

[@myshadowstalksme]

2:10 awwww how sweet

[@bbongoo]

4:04 DID YOU SAY ONE PIECE?!? ALRIGHT THATS IT IM GOING TO JAPAN

[@givenspade]

One piece, Pokemon, Naruto, and Dragon Ball are all over Japan

[@aspeniiwolf-152]

biggfloof OH YES

[@lab13media]

What an awesome channel. Not 1 thing i don't like about it!!! Keep the video's coming!!!!! :-)

[@Sir_Leelord]

Whatsinside sent me here. I'm so happy to be subbed, what a cool channel. I've always found the Japanese culture and wacky ideas interesting :) so fulfilling...

[@puellamagi123]

OHMAGAWD! MAHOU SHOUJO MADOKA MAGICA! GO WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS GIRL! I LOVE PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA! I can't wait till the rebellion story is realesed! EEP!

[@avantika3620]

It's already released with subs

[@puellamagi123]

not when i posted the comment. it was in march. they released it in NORTH AMERICA on april 17 i believe...

[@avantika3620]

Ohh sorry it was already released in japan :))

[@puellamagi123]

thats okay. not everyone knows where people live. and they don't usually need to! :)

[@renren2740]

that gachapon is sure a real money sucker... I still remembered when I was still a gachapon virgin and tried my first years ago..... well after I got my first gachapon, I was still high on gachapon for the next 3 hours straight(even though I was aware of the price that quite pricey for my 14 years old self...)! 0__0

[@SupesMe]

Cool! I collect the Godzilla / Gamera ones! But I've never seen the machines. Thanks for posting!

[@cheeseborn]

Gacha-gachaaa. I'm a collector & I think this is the best video yet, no-no-no scratch that. I think this is the most Awesome'est Video on Gachapon/Gashapon information ever! *twist-twist-KAPLANG!*

[@Six_Corrupted]

I saw an animal crossing one !!!!!

[@spacedp]

Where??

[@IsaPodrasky]

I want one of those too!

[@Holyniwa]

Now I realize I will need tons of cash when I go to Japan XD I will be hooked to these like crazy!

[@superultrarollingbomberthu8829]

Haha, more like change >_

[@chesster423]

dont ever play gacha games dude

[@spider-ball]

4:17 "That's Vergo-SAN to you!"

[@Karotu007]

Omg!!! This place is amazing. I find it very fascinating and its so cool how everyone loves these things. They look very high quality to.

[@peachxglass231]

im NOT here from whats inside ! :D

[@cardboardclub]

I can't believe i forgot to mention how on my last visit to japan i went to akihabara and searched for an hour to find this place. It was worth it

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

It's not the easiest place to find because it's actually closer to the other station than Akihabara but yes, it is a real gatchapon paradise! -John

[@cardboardclub]

Thank you so much for replying. I appreciate it along with the amazing videos you post ! Its always nice to relate to somebody with similar interests : ).

[@cardboardclub]

After all I would have never found it had it not been for you.

[@Glasseyyy]

4:17 words I never thought John would ever say. I love One Piece

[@jimellison777]

LOVED IT........I think I'll try it next year when I visit Japan!!!!

[@Strawb3rryMiIk]

If I went to that Gachapon heaven then I'll definitely become addicted and broke on the first day. Lol ≧﹏≦

[@BeatlesandWebkinz]

9:41 FUCKING IDOLM@STER MILLION LIVE!!! When is the next flight to Japan?!?!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

lol

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

You're right, Jenna! Most gachapon are between 200 and 400 yen, but the quality of the 500 yen figure is quite high. For collectors and fans, it seems worth it. It's less than a fast food lunch in Tokyo, but trying to get all the figures can get expensive. However, the gachapon market is thriving. (It's a $310 million per year and growing business in Japan) In the US, I think it would be hard to justify a $5 toy from a capsule ... that's why this is surely something ONLY in JAPAN :)

[@podcast-this26]

only in japan vending machine tours ?? the crowd grows .. smiles .. love the gotchapon !

[@KeiraA333]

This guy deserves a TV show about japan~

[@givenspade]

Ikr!

[@Syrephine]

I would so have to bring alot of money for the Gachapon!! LOL Sailor Moon here I come!

[@trin4410]

Tania Loves Japan glitter Force doki doki 😏 yasssssssssssssssssssssss Sailor moon 😏 yasssssssssssssssssssssss

[@darkdragoonzero]

This was very satisfying to watch! Thanks!

[@StephsMemes]

7:30 SHE FREAKING FOUND THE FROG ONE I WANT OML OML OML OML

[@cameronshopp7089]

We NEED this in the u.s

[@diamondkinggamin7980]

YYYYYEEEEESSSSS!!!!!!

[@Bickyball]

True

[@Jay-S04]

We need these globally

[@Metalman200xdamnit]

They would be defaced or smashed.

[@theuglykwan]

You can buy the toys online.

[@squishysquirt6367]

meanwhile the guy who invented this is yelling GOTCHA BITCHESSS and is rolling around in dough.

[@x1ic1x]

I'm binge watching your videos :) love them

[@missyusuf4546]

Japan has so many unique things that is so out of the world it is so mesmerising to watch!❤️

[@josharcher7392]

Your videos are awesome me and my brother love your videos!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thank you Josh! Makes me so happy you guys like the show :) Appreciate the support very much. -John

[@project_genshin3935]

This guy living the Weeb life hahahaha

[@Ktunes09]

WOOT! thanks for the video! Love GACHAPON!

[@thereseeklund1332]

This store literally looks like paradise! Heaven on earth! I´m sitting here almost drooling over those toys and machines! God how I wish there was such a store in my country, at the most we got like 8 different machines outside our supermarkets and 4 of them contains different gumballs lol! wow I´m so jealous!!!!!

[@JimCornetteIsMyDad]

Gum Ball machines on steroids.

[@nothingspecial4510]

I bought so many underwear for my cell phone :D

[@joekrasinski5086]

i think a tv show based on these videos (on youtube (only in japan)) would be awesome! I know i'd watch it every time a new episode came out.

[@joeyphillips4282]

my dream has been to go to japan for 9 years and watching your vids make me want to go even more you just got a new subscriber

[@LiquidusSnakeX]

at like 2:09 you walked like right through that girl and what she was looking at... Wtf. Rude as hell.

[@Lilyium]

Frost lol right?!?

[@samantha_2686]

Frost oh,so you haven't heard of Logan Paul?

[@vcsteleshop7]

推三阻四啥？啊WEERRTTRRRTTILl

[@cermahoil3273]

Chad

[@MrLaloman18]

Oh wait.. what the fuck! are those little Nintendo's and its mini accessories at 5:25? Thats freakin' awesome! Fuck how come we don't have those here in the boring US?

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Yes, they are! :) -John

[@majormana1]

Cause are to machine toy makers for sinilar machines make garbage thay don't even please a 3 yr old. The coolest thing in one is a sports ball.

[@majormana1]

And they are just big bouncy balls made to look like sports balls.

[@animeneko7316]

OMG! I need to go to there!! I love Gachapons

[@RenerDeCastro]

Tried this out during my first trip to Tokyo back in 2017. And in the same place as shown here, in fact. It's as addicting as John made it out to be, for sure.

[@chibiangel9113]

OMG i wish i could be there! The most gashapons ive seen in an area is 4!!! And they're like $5 eachhhh and not cute at all

[@angell1387]

I have such a sudden urge to buy these things the one piece one coughs my attention

[@wisteela]

Sent from What's Inside Great video subscribed

[@Jaiysful]

Great videos and fantastic editing! Love this channel. Subbed!

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Thank Jaysful z Appreciate the comment! -John

[@iamfairie68]

Do they have gachapon of space dandy im thinking about visiting Japan and i like that anime

[@-kukinyami-1139]

What about if you're 10 years old? Can you still get gachapons?

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Sure! Maybe you need a job to pay for it. If you have ¥300 ($3) you can get one. When I was 12, I had a job delivering newspapers on my bicycle. But that was 1987 and I made only $50 a week -- but that's like 15 GATCHAPON so pretty good! Good idea to save the money too. -John

[@-kukinyami-1139]

+ONLY in JAPAN ok! Thanks for replying :)

[@Randybutternums]

Kuki Nyami but you would have to go to Japan...

[@-kukinyami-1139]

+pugtato but I'm going today (9th January 2017)

[@Randybutternums]

Kuki Nyami congrats

[@thanhlenguyen8340]

because of you, we discovered the existence of this gachapon store and thanks to you we found it. without you, I think we'll get lot in akihabara! thanks for your help ! =D

[@kurisu7885]

I've started to see these machines more and more stateside. I first saw some at an anime convention in Detroit, then I found a couple at Hot Topic, then a wall of them at 2nd and Charles. Out of one I got a Legend of Zelda logo keychain, and out of another I got a Gundam Zaku II head that I actually had to assemble.

[@kiracat6803]

I thought it was a gachapon for Apink haha it's just another girls. Anyways, it would be lovely if they have ones for kpop.

[@ornellasantiago3568]

Am I the only one who noticed the MARADONA Gacha pon?

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

+Ana Flores Where?? - WAORYU C

[@ornellasantiago3568]

+ONLY in JAPAN minute 2:29 - 2:31

[@dualfaber]

+Ana Flores que grande el diego maradroga hasta en los gachapones

[@aortizc82]

+Ana Flores that's the first thing that caught my eye. xD

[@carlose4314]

These sort of are like the bubble gum machines in America.

[@seethumingwai190]

been there last week and spend alot of 100 yen there XD and the one you spin on 2:00 is mainly Doujin making Gachapon...love it!and i meet the Ojisan owner of Gachapon kaikan too :D Oh ya me? i spins the whole collection of keychain badge of NewGame!...

[@batbee1000]

when i move to japan this'll be on my must list for things to check out

[@thedragonknight8061]

I want dragon ball ones, But I live too far away

[@nehalmathew7510]

Who is here from what's inside

[@ColtWillcox]

Hello! :D

[@hilarisalquimsing2302]

Mi

[@wisteela]

me

[@DayAndNight-lo1mc]

Me

[@woohoo410]

me

[@keybyss98]

Ok..... THIS IS AWESOME!!!

[@mw170037]

Love this series!

[@HaoushokuHaki]

I'm from Scotland and this video made me realize how much I hate my own accent.

[@Kaarel456]

Scottish accent is great, don't hate it, be proud.

[@gavinp.9477]

It's better than mine--New York :)

[@Lovesunshinebreath]

i love scottish accent :3

[@Jesus.saved.me2000]

But I love the Accent!

[@tinab942]

Do they have sailormoon,naruto or the most common anime collectibles as well?👘😊✌

[@Scarletterdz]

Tina B yes they do and they're always adding more you can also trade and buy anything from the case

[@kalapurilainen6981]

ahh that looks so fun! I spent so much money on those as a kid. Back then the capsule machines were like the old red ones in the store *cries*

[@neko-himesergent715]

Omg!!!! Like a Sumo thing for my phone?? Neeeed it!!!!

[@animecrazy4ev]

dialogue is cringy af but great video anyways xD

[@KingRadovidV]

Who else is doing this as a project for online school

[@SilkyC]

Wow! Gachapon is really really cool!! Also you CUT OPEN A MACHINE....aaand I am there! lol

[@SmileyTrilobite]

In Japan 2013-14 I saw several spots where little baskets were set near the machines to put your empty capsules for re-use/recycling. It's fun to enjoy in groups where you can trade or pay the gacha price to your friends for one they don't want but you do. I get fewer than I feel like because I keep wondering where I'd put them or what I'd do with them.

[@tristansayasit524]

I was wondering if kids allowed to go there to? Or is it not allowed. Because I wanted to take my son to there for his 12th birthday. (He likes Gundam a lot and wanted to get some Gundam Gachapon)

[@WaoryuONLYinJAPAN]

Tristan Sayasit Kids? No problem! But you better watch out, he may never want to leave this place and you might have to cancel all your other schedules later on ;) Just one other thing. These Gachapon machines change their content pretty frequently now and they may or may not have Gundam so you might want to look for other places as well. According to Gachapon Gundam site (only in Japanese language gashapon.jp/gundam/shop/) , the places they sell Gundam Gachapon now (Apr 2015) in Tokyo area are in Yodobashi Camera Multimedia-kan (on the other side of the Akihabara station - the huge electronic store) or Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku Nishi guchi (same chain electronic store in west exit of Shinjuku station with Gachapon bldg! ) and Yodobashi Camera Kichijoji (a little far).- WAORYU staff

[@tristansayasit524]

Wow thank you this was a big help!

[@ebindelgado4889]

+WAORYU ONLYinJAPAN actually I saw a gundam gachapon under the one piece gachapon

[@TeaganBAllen]

i am going to visit this place

[@TeaganBAllen]

and will be totoally broke in a matter of minutes

[@givenspade]

Same lol

[@skippydmb]

Not sure exactly what I would collect but it looks fun! Maybe the breakfast would be cool, or a mini thanksgiving dinner.

[@colorbar.s]

That acting, truly top notch 10/10

[@mooseplayzmc5485]

Anyone from what's inside?

[@mooseplayzmc5485]

Hehe

[@ananyaarora8599]

+MoosePlayzMc me

[@Simon_Lado]

here!

[@creepermaster5596]

me

[@MaxVdpYt]

Lol me!

[@pxony]

POTREI SPENDERE TUTTI I MIEI SOLDI PER QUESTO OMMIODDIO

[@SuperHornetPilot]

I've seen a few that had little plastic guns that you could assemble, which are spring-loaded and fired tiny plastic pellets and some that had miniature models of historic naval warships such as IJN carriers and even battleships like the Fuso and Yamato. I even once went to one machine in Tokyo (forgot exactly where) and got a miniature Famicom! I'll have to show my girlfriend some gachapon goodness in Japan someday! :)

[@dicarolina]

My day just got 1000 times better!!