If you’re looking for a cheap souvenir that comes with a bit of fun and surprise, try gachapon! These coin operated toy vending machines are seemingly everywhere in Japan—from tourist attractions to airports, arcades, supermarkets...even dedicated gachapon centres like Akihabara Gachapon Hall....
For cash-strapped travellers, Tokyo’s 100 yen stores are a godsend. One hundred yen equals roughly one American dollar. And as a result, they’re the perfect place to pick up small, cheap souvenirs in bulk. Furthermore, unlike most Western dollar stores, the products...