Gachapon

Gachapon (also known as Gacha or Gashapon) are Japanese vending machine capsule toys that offer a fun and exciting surprise with every turn of the knob. Unlike regular vending machines, Gachapon dispense high-quality, collectible miniature figures, keychains, and novelty items, often featuring characters from popular anime, video games, and pop culture franchises. These machines are a staple in Japanese arcades, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, providing a unique blend of mystery and collectible appeal. Gashapon is the trademark term for the capsule toys offered by Bandai Namco.

The rise of Japanese culture in the West - especially through anime, gaming, and arcade nostalgia has fuelled the growing popularity of Gachapon. Fans love the thrill of unboxing a surprise collectible, and the detailed craftsmanship of these miniature toys makes them worth keeping. The UK has long had a love for vending machines, and combining this with the excitement of mystery collectibles and Japanese aesthetics has created a winning formula. 

Gachapon can be found at various amusement arcades and entertainment venues including bowling alleys and cinemas across the UK. Bandi Namco has several Funscape bowling complexes across the UK including the Namco Funscape Arcade in Norwich. They also have a flagship Gachapon entertainment centre / shop in London. We look forward to adding more venues with gachapon to our listing very soon!