Gacha shops and arcade chains in Japan
There are three kinds of places to look for capsule toys and crane game prizes in Japan. Knowing which is which helps you find the newest sets — and the shop names you see on the map.
Gacha specialty shops
Shops with nothing but gacha machines — from a few hundred to a few thousand of them. They get the newest sets first and carry the widest range of makers. If you are hunting for a specific set, start here.
- Gashapon Department Store and Gashapon Bandai Official Shop — Bandai's own shops, including official-shop-only sets.
- #C-pla, Gachagacha no Mori, gashacoco and Capsule Rakkyoku — large chains found in malls and shopping streets all over Japan.
- TOYS SPOT PALO and Capsule Yokocho — inside AEON malls and other shopping centers.
Gacha corners
Rows of machines inside another store: electronics stores, discount stores, malls and train stations. Smaller than a specialty shop, but very easy to find while you shop or travel.
- Electronics stores such as Yodobashi Camera and Bic Camera.
- Discount and variety stores such as Don Quijote, and malls such as AEON.
- Train stations — look near the ticket gates and in station shopping arcades.
Arcades (game centers)
Arcades are where crane game prizes live. The big chains get new prizes every week, and the largest arcades have hundreds of crane machines over several floors. Most also have a few gacha machines near the entrance.
- GiGO, Taito Station and namco — the largest arcade chains, found near major stations.
- Molly Fantasy and PRIZE SPOT PALO — family arcades inside AEON malls.
- Crane game specialty shops such as Everyday and Benex — warehouse-sized arcades with hundreds of crane machines.
- Second-hand stores with crane game floors, such as Manga Souko — popular outside big cities.
Which should I visit?
- Looking for a specific capsule toy? Go to a gacha specialty shop, ideally a big one in a major city.
- Want a big plush or figure? Go to an arcade. Prizes are not sold in stores — you can only win them.
- Just want to try it once? Any gacha corner in a station or mall will do.