Capsule toy vending machines, or 'gacha' machines, can be found all over Japan. They dispense random toys and collectibles for a small fee, with themed machines covering everything from popular anime ...

Japan has a well-deserved reputation as the world’s most enthusiastic country when it comes to vending machines. In downtown Tokyo, it seems like you can find a machine selling drinks on just about ...

Gachapon, also known as gashapon, are those ubiquitous capsule vending machines found throughout Japan. Children and adults alike have taken delight in inserting their leftover change into the coin ...

TOKYO — Yoshiaki Yamanishi set out to create the most boring toy imaginable. In the booming universe of Japanese capsule vending machines, the competition is strong. Anyone with some pocket change ...

This photo shows inside the Esta branch of the "#C-pla" store, which specializes in "gacha gacha" capsule toy vending machines, in Sapporo's Chuo Ward on April 28, 2021. A special booth to take photos ...

Some of the about 20 items available from the "Aji Stone gacha" capsule toy vending machine, such as paperweights and vases, are seen at Miyama Park in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Aug. 22, 2025.

TOTTORI--Tottori and Shimane have joined the list of prefectures with “gacha gacha” capsule vending machines offering the chance to win a necklace made of domestic pearls worth 20,000 yen ($146). It ...

The 'capsule machine,' once only seen at stationery stores in front of schools, has recently gained attention among people in their 20s. Capsule machines, which occupy a spot in pop-up stores in ...