Capsule Stations or ‘Gashapon’ are a big deal in Japan, located outside any place that kids or otaku (nerds) might go. They are basically toy vending machines, like gumball machines, but for toys in plastic egg-shells. The name Gashapon is onomatopoeic, where the ‘Gasha’ is the sound of you turning the handle, and the ‘Pon!’ is the capsule toy popping out. They dispense a whole range of toys, from super-cheap garbage up to higher-end ‘adult-content’ type stuff.
The one I went to is on my block in Zoshigaya. I felt a little embarrassed to be buying what is basically a kids toy, and also to be filming it, but, there you go. Here’s the film of the buying and opening of my first two Gashapon:
Check out this video by ‘twinkiebeyond’ on YouTube to see hundreds of capsule station machines lining the aisles in the Yodobashi Camera in Akihabara:
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Comments 6
Hey, your video is showing “We’re sorry, this video is no longer available”?
Author
Really? That’s weird, it doesn’t say that to me. I’ll try in another browser.
Hey – I think the Japanese term for these is gatcha gatcha machines. Or gadja gadja?
I’ve never seen such a huge bank of them. Didn’t notice these the last time I was at the Akiba Yodobashi. Have to look next time I’m there. I can sometimes find very good miniature crustaceans in these. Still looking for a Tarabagani – woohoo!
Ah – I see you had the name at the top. Those micro-organisms are brine shrimp – the sea monkeys from comic books.
Author
Sea monkeys huh? I’m thinking about buying some, having a crack at cultivating them. Any tips?
Salt water and patience. You need to feed them something too – not sure if they give you the microalgae they eat.