Shinjuku Gashapon Shops: 7 Best Locations & Rare Items
Tokyo Mate
🎮 Complete Guide to Shinjuku Gashapon Shops!
From Gachapon Forest to C-pla and Kabukicho Tower,
We've compiled the best 7 gashapon locations in Shinjuku with locations, hours, and rare item tips.
Essential guide for beginners to score amazing finds without getting lost!
Planning a Shinjuku gashapon (capsule toy) tour during your Tokyo trip? The area around Shinjuku Station is home to hidden sanctuaries filled with thousands of capsule toys.
From the massive Gachapon Forest with over 1,000 machines, to the conveniently located C-pla, the official Bandai shop Marui Annex, shopping-friendly Bic Camera, and the late-night hotspot Kabukicho Tower – we’ve selected the 7 best locations based on different purposes to help you navigate busy Shinjuku without getting lost.
This is your complete guide to Shinjuku gashapon shopping.
First, here’s a quick comparison table for those in a hurry.
📌 Shinjuku Gashapon Shop Locations at a Glance (East, West, Southeast Exits)
| Shop Name | Features | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Gachapon Forest | Overwhelming Variety | East Exit, Subnade B1F |
| 2. C-pla | Best Access | East Exit, Adhoc 1F |
| 3. Namco (Kabukicho) | Late Night/Photo Spot | East Exit, Kabukicho Tower 3F |
| 4. Bic Camera | Shopping Integration | East Exit, Higashiguchi 6F |
| 5. Gashapon Bandai | Official Bandai | Southeast Exit, Marui Annex 6F |
| 6. ME TOKYO | Latest Trends | Southeast Exit, ME TOKYO B1F |
| 7. Yodobashi Camera | West Side King | West Exit, Nishiguchi Main Store 1F |
💡 Payment Tip
Most machines use 100-yen coins, but recently “Pipit” machines that accept Suica and other IC cards are increasing. Still, bring a coin purse! 👛
1. Overwhelming Scale: Gachapon Forest
The first shop to introduce is Shinjuku Gachapon Forest (Gachagacha no Mori). True to its name meaning “Forest of Gacha,” stepping inside feels like entering a 360-degree forest surrounded by capsule toys.
🟢 Gachapon Forest Shinjuku Subnade Branch
- Location: Shinjuku Subnade underground shopping area (B1F) (5-minute walk from Shinjuku East Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 10:30 AM ~ 9:00 PM
- Machines: Approximately 1,050 units
- Features: Access through the underground shopping area means you can move around comfortably even when it’s raining or hot.
💡 Pro Tip: The nearby major chain “C-pla” is also close, so combining both locations gives you access to about 2,000 machines just underground.
Where to Find Shinjuku Gashapon Bus Bell/Stop Bell?
I found a rare item here! While I didn’t find the highly sought-after Shinjuku gacha bus bell (stop bell), I discovered an emergency stop button gacha instead. It’s the kind of subway emergency button you should never press normally, and it’s 400 yen. When you press it, it makes a realistic “BUZZ!” warning sound that’s incredibly satisfying for stress relief.
It’s truly a gacha paradise! 😍 The Sanrio desk clock and Rilakkuma (Bear) keychains that I only saw at this Shinjuku gashapon shop had fresh stock too. Especially the Sanrio clock at 500 yen – it’s genuinely cute on your desk, so grab it if you see one!
2. Best Accessibility: C-pla
Located on the busiest street at Shinjuku’s East Exit, it’s the most convenient to drop by while passing through. It’s right near the Disney Flagship Store.
🟣 C-pla Shinjuku
- Location: Adhoc Building 1F & M2F (street-facing) (5-minute walk from Shinjuku East Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 10:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM (open late)
- Machines: Approximately 900 units
- Features: Very fast turnover for latest trending character goods like Sanrio and Chiikawa. The store is laid out in a long corridor format, making it easy to browse.
Character Guide: Shinjuku Gashapon for Crayon Shin-chan, Haikyuu, Chiikawa
The irresistible ‘missile launch button’ gacha is here too! Just like in movies, you flip open the transparent cover and press the button to trigger a “BUZZ! BUZZ!” siren with flashing red lights.
3. Late Night Hotspot: Kabukicho Tower Namco Tokyo
Are Tokyo nights long but shops close early? Then head to Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower. It’s the only place to enjoy gashapon until the early morning.
🔵 Namco Tokyo
- Location: Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower 3F (8-minute walk from Shinjuku East Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 11:00 AM ~ 1:00 AM (25:00)
- Machines: 250 units
- Features: Cyberpunk interior with flashy neon signs makes for amazing photos. It’s an “adult playground” where you can enjoy beer or cocktails at the bar while getting gacha. 🍻
- Suica/Pasmo payment available – perfect for using up remaining IC card balance!
✅ Check Online Stock Information
⚠️ Note: Due to the Kabukicho area’s nature, there may be touts late at night. Use main streets when traveling.
At Namco Tokyo, I found the ‘Encyclopedia of Creatures - Stag Beetle’ series that kids love. It’s scanned from real insects so it’s realistically detailed. The wings open and all the legs move for 500 yen! Way cheaper than in Korea, so insect enthusiasts should definitely grab these.
4. Shopping Combo: Bic Camera (Honest Review)
Many blogs recommend this, but for gacha-only visits, it might be disappointing.
🟠 Bic Camera Shinjuku Higashiguchi Store
- Location: Bic Camera Shinjuku Higashiguchi Store 6F (5-minute walk from Shinjuku East Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 10:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM (year-round)
- Machines: Approximately 100-150 units (smaller scale)
- Honest Check: Significantly fewer machines compared to dedicated gashapon shops (C-pla, Nomori). While there are rumors about rare items at Shinjuku Bic Camera gashapon, they’re often out of stock, so be cautious.
- Recommended For: Rather than making a special trip, it’s better as a light browse when shopping at the 6F toy section or Canmake.
5. Official Bandai Shop: Gashapon Bandai
If you’re looking for the official “Bandai” shop, head to Marui Department Store. It’s packed with quality guaranteed authentic gashapon.
🔴 Gashapon Bandai Official Shop (Shinjuku Gashapon Sanctuary)
- Location: Shinjuku Marui (0101) Annex Department Store 6F (Shinjuku-sanchome Station Exit C4 / 8-minute walk from Shinjuku Station Southeast Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: Weekdays 11:00 AM ~ 8:00 PM (Sundays/holidays open at 10:30)
- Machines: 330 units (premium line)
- Features: As the official Bandai store, new releases arrive fastest. Most reliable lineup for Shinjuku gashapon featuring Crayon Shin-chan, Sanrio, Haikyuu, and other popular characters.
✅ Check Online Stock Information
Here I discovered Bandai’s cosmetic brand ‘CreerBeaute’ gacha! 💍 It’s a ring you can wear on your finger, and when you open the lid, it works as lip balm + cheek tint + shadow. With popular characters like Kuromi and Cinnamoroll, and at 500 yen, it’s perfect as gifts (omiyage).
Have you seen ‘flat gacha’? 😲 Called flat gashapon, these come without capsules – A4 clear files or coasters come out directly! No capsule waste, and easy to slip into your bag, making them perfect souvenirs. Snoopy and Moomin coasters were so cute I couldn’t resist getting them.
Harry Potter coasters are back in stock! Try your luck at Platform 9¾ pulls. Haikyuu fans shouldn’t miss the great-value theatrical version jumbo sticker flat gacha either.
6. Trendiest Playground: ME TOKYO
The hottest entertainment complex among young people recently. Clean and comfortable, it’s especially popular with women.
🟡 ME TOKYO SHINJUKU
- Location: ME TOKYO B1F (2-minute walk from Shinjuku Station Southeast Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 10:00 AM ~ 1:00 AM (25:00)
- Machines: Approximately 600 units
- Features: Not just gacha but also 10-yen crane games and latest sticker photo booths (purikura). Very new and clean, with costume rental available on 3F. Perfect for photos and fun with friends!
Here I discovered Hikaru no Go (Ghost Go King) manga book keyrings! 😭 Only 300 yen, with great cover quality and adorable tiny Go stones attached.
7. West Exit King: Yodobashi Camera Gashapon Center
If you’re staying near Shinjuku’s West Exit (Nishiguchi), there’s no need to go far – this is your answer.
🔵 Yodobashi Camera Gashapon Center
- Location: Yodobashi Camera Shinjuku Nishiguchi Main Store (Gashapon Center) (5-minute walk from Shinjuku West Exit) [📍Google Maps 📍]
- Hours: 9:30 AM ~ 10:00 PM (earliest opening!)
- Machines: Approximately 800-1,000 units (including surrounding areas)
- Features: The entire area around Yodobashi Camera is surrounded by gacha machines. Perfect location for clearing out spare coins before/after using the subway (Keio Line, Odakyu Line).
Attention Chiikawa fans! There’s a great-value gacha with 4 cute Chiikawa stickers for just 200 yen. They look adorable behind a transparent phone case, so I recommend getting lots for friends!
🗺️ Shinjuku Gacha Summary in 3 Lines
Even first-time visitors to Shinjuku gacha (gashapon) will find this guide sufficient.
- If it’s raining or hot? 👉 Underground shopping area Gachapon Forest
- Want accessibility/new releases? 👉 East Exit C-pla
- Late night/hotspot desired? 👉 Kabukicho Tower or ME TOKYO
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