Huge new official Bandai Gashapon store has over 300 capsule machines
A huge new official Bandai gashapon shop will soon open with over 300 different gashapon vending machines.
The new Gashapon Bandai Official Shop HYPERBOOKS Hikone store will be over twice as big as the Bandai gashapon store recently opened in Tokyo Station.
This specialty store, dedicated to the capsule toy brand “Gashapon” which is produced by Bandai, will be located within the HYPERBOOKS Hikone bookstore complex in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture.
Capsule toys have become a significant segment of the Japanese toy industry, recognized for their detailed designs and diverse product lineups, often featuring characters from popular anime, manga, and video games.
The capsule toy market has experienced growth in recent years, with an increasing number of large-scale specialty stores being placed in shopping and entertainment venues.
This new store is a collaborative effort between Bandai’s Gashapon brand and their Bandai Namco Amusement branch, which possesses operational expertise in managing large-format arcades and capsule toy retail spaces.
The “Gashapon Bandai Official Shop” HYPERBOOKS Hikone store open on March 28th and will function as an official Bandai capsule toy specialty retailer, featuring a substantial inventory of 300 capsule toy vending machines at a single location.
The store aims to showcase the full spectrum of Bandai’s latest Gashapon releases and offer a distinctive “Gashapon experience” exclusive to official shops.
The primary objective of the new official Gashapon stores is to directly provide enthusiasts with the engaging experiences and unique product offerings inherent to Bandai’s original Gashapon capsule toys.
The store will stock an extensive range of products, encompassing all of Bandai’s newly released capsule toys.
Real-time inventory information for product sales will be accessible via the official website of the “Gashapon Bandai Official Shop”.
Examples of featured products include:
Pokemon Gashatto Collect 02
A series of five collectible Pokemon figures housed in 90mm Pokeball-shaped capsules. Each figure includes a ball chain for attachment.
Kamen Rider OOO Greed Waiting
A collection of four rubber mascot figures depicting characters from “Kamen Rider OOO” in waiting poses.
HARUTA Loafer Collection
Miniature replicas of classic HARUTA brand loafers, a popular student footwear in Japan, featuring detailed recreations and packaged in miniature shoe boxes.
mofusand “It’s a bunch” Part 2
A series of five flocked cat mascot figures from the popular “mofusand” illustration series.
RODY Sign Accessories
A collection of nine colorful RODY (a popular inflatable toy horse) figures designed as sign accessories.
Chiikawa, I’m pinching and connecting
A series of eight rubber mascot figures from the “Chiikawa” manga and anime series, designed to be connected or carried.
ONE PIECE Sign Accessories POPstyle!
A series of five pop-art style sign accessories featuring characters from the “ONE PIECE” anime wearing raincoats with Devil Fruit designs.
All Guys Capsule Rubber Mascot
A series of eight rubber mascot figures featuring members of the virtual YouTuber group “All Guys.” Collecting the B design variants allows for the creation of talking scenes.
Select products available for purchase on the official “Gashapon Bandai Official Shop Online Store” will be eventually be able to be picked up in person at the HYPERBOOKS Hikone store counter
This service is intended to provide customers with a convenient option for acquiring online purchases.
The in-store pickup service unfortunately will not be available in time for when the store first opens and will be implemented at a later date.
The store will also offer unique features designed to enhance the Gashapon experience for customers.
These include dedicated display areas featuring popular and sought-after Gashapon products, providing customers with a closer look at the available items.
A “Gasha Point Station”, a collection box for empty capsules, will also be present. Gasha Point Stations are large scale imitation capsule vending machines and allow customers to turn a large handle when disposing of their empty capsule.
The “handle turning” aspect of the Gashapon vending machines is a key element of the brand’s identity as the name “Gashapon” is derived from the sound of the handle turning (“gasha”) and the capsule dispensing (“pon”).
Store Details
- Store Name: Gashapon Bandai Official Shop HYPERBOOKS Hikone Store.
- Location: 145-2 Togacho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan
- Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily
- Store Size: Approximately 88.2 square meters
- Number of Installed Machines: 300 capsule toy vending machines
Source: PR Times
Images: © Bandai Co. Ltd/Nintendo･Creatures･GAME FREAK･TV Tokyo･ShoPro･JR Kikaku,Pokémon/Ishimori Productions, Toei/mofusand/LEDRAPLASTIC JAMMY/nagano, chiikawa committee/Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Fuji Television, Toei Animation/TenkaiTsukasa, Gatchman, UsagiMari, UTAI_MEIKA