Upon landing in one of Japan’s international airports and strolling through the terminals, you’re bound to notice a huge collection of plastic machines lining the walls. Then, later again when weaving through crowds at the train station. Curiosity leads you toward the trickle of people already examining them closely.
These machines house none other than gacha-pon (ガチャポン), Japan’s toy capsule obsession.
For 100 to 500 yen a piece, these little irresistible trinkets will leave your wallet dry.
“What’s in a name?”
So, what does gacha-pon even mean?
According to various resources and my own intuition, the word is a spelling of the sounds the machine makes when operating it. Listen closely after the last coin drops, and you’ll hear “gacha, gacha, gacha” when turning the dial. Your purchase is complete with a “pon” or drop of the capsule.
(Personally, I think I hear more of “clack” at the end, but a satisfying “pon” upon popping open the lid.)
But interestingly enough, though the term is a Japanese onomatopoeia, the original concept came from the United States.
In the late 1800s, America gave birth to the gumball vending machine. For economic purposes, the starting company came to the idea of introducing games and toys into the mix. It wasn’t until the 1960s did Japan adopt this concept, and made it infinitely better.
‘Toys’ of many styles
From mini Gundam figurines to silicon rubber keychains of your favourite idol-turned-anime-character, gacha-pon come in many shapes and sizes to please the interests of people of all ages.
Not only can you find TV and video game characters, but also traditional Japanese articles like fans, kabuki masks, and bonsai trees. And let’s not forget, stickers from the LINE messaging app, animals, sushi and other foods. Every once in a while, you might also bump into some sparkly poop or cats wearing funny hats. Like, a lot of hats.
While many were once cell phone straps (RIP flip-phones), nowadays it’s keychains and free-standing figurines galore.
Still not sure of exactly how many different ‘toys’ are out there? Bandai Co., LTD., one of the largest suppliers of gasha-pon (their trademark name), sums it up with a list of all their products here.
Where to find them
If you’re interested in purchasing a few for yourself, you won’t have to look very hard to find them. As mentioned, there are more than just a couple of machines lining the walls of Japan’s international airports, hungry for the 細かいお金 (komakai okane, loose change, ie. coins) of native and foreign travellers.
In addition, gacha-pon are located not only in arcades, malls, and train stations, but also in some restaurant lobbies, large retail shops (home goods, pharmacies, etc.), and by convenience stores, making them one of many common types of vending machines in Japan.
Why collect gacha-pon?
Students give their schoolbags a bit of personality with gacha dangling from the straps. Elsewhere, company workers have a couple decorating the desks of their office space, or a Fuchiko balanced gracefully on their mugs.
Or sometimes a sandwich or fish-shaped pouch. Because it’s super functional.
With most toys priced at 100 to 300 yen, they are relatively inexpensive and quite easy to obtain compared to other collectibles. Honey and I sport more than a few ourselves, and like to scope out the machines for any attractive pieces to add to our collection.
Pictured: Gudetama cream puff, cat in basket, tissue box cat, Rilakkuma light-up heart
What can we say? Not only are they cute, fun, and quirky, sometimes we get a good chuckle out of spotting a few bizarre ones in the mix.
But overall, for the everyday Japan resident, gacha-pon are overabundant and kind of useless, yet you can barely resist them. For the once-in-a-lifetime tourist, they make inexpensive but amusing souvenirs for people of all ages.
So come empty out your coin purse, turn the dial, and see what prize you get.
*gacha gacha pon*
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– Waifu ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
Because I'm Waifu 