Where to buy Pokémon gacha in Japan
Pokémon capsule toys and crane game prizes come out every month in Japan, and many of them are never sold outside the country. Here is who makes them, where to look, and how to tell gacha apart from the goods in a Pokémon Center.
Who makes Pokémon gacha
- Takara Tomy A.R.T.S makes many of the Pokémon capsule toy sets: small figures, swinging mascots, charms and the popular sleeping-Pokémon figures.
- Bandai also releases Pokémon gacha, such as its figure and charm series.
- Banpresto makes most of the Pokémon crane game prizes, especially plush. These you can only win at arcades.
Where to find the capsule toys
Pokémon sets are among the most common machines at any gacha shop, so you don't need a special store. The bigger the shop, the more sets it has. Good places to start:
- Large gacha shops such as Gashapon Department Store, #C-pla and Gachagacha no Mori.
- Gacha corners in electronics stores like Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera.
- Airports, which often have a few Pokémon machines aimed at travelers. See gacha at Japanese airports.
Where to win the plush
Pokémon crane game prizes go to arcades such as GiGO, Taito Station and namco. Each arcade picks its own lineup, so if you want a particular plush, check a few big arcades near major stations.
Gacha vs. the Pokémon Center
Pokémon Center stores sell official Pokémon goods at fixed prices. Capsule toys and crane game prizes are a separate world: they are made by toy makers, sold through machines, and you get one item at random. Many fans visit both.
Tips
- New Pokémon sets sell out quickly. If you see one you like, get it then.
- The card on the front of the machine shows every item in the set. Take a photo of it so you know what you are trading for.
- Most sets cost ¥300 to ¥500 per turn. Bring ¥100 coins.
