Gachapon Obsession: Japan’s Ever-Popular Capsule Toys

The satisfying cranking of the dial. That’s followed by the surprising ‘pop’ sound when the capsule rolls into the collection tray. And then comes the heightened anticipation as you wait with bated breath for your mystery prize to be revealed. We are, of course, talking about gachapon, Japan’s vending machine-dispensed capsule toys. The simple and affordable thrills still hold a special place in our hearts. If you’re visiting Tokyo or any other big Japanese city, we recommend treating yourself to at least one gacha. Though you’ll certainly want to leave with more.

Photo by Ned Snowman via Shutterstock

What Are Gachapon?

Derived from the onomatopoeia “gasha gasha,” which refers to the sound of the machine, the history of gachapon actually dates back to the 1960s. While the concept has gained worldwide popularity, Japan is one of the few countries where gachapon culture has been flourishing for some time. These

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Buttigieg warns airlines that a summer mess ‘can’t happen again’: Travel Weekly

With the upcoming Memorial Day weekend kicking off the summer travel season, DOT secretary Pete Buttigieg says the Department of Transportation is ready to hold airlines’ feet to the fire if necessary.

But Buttigieg also acknowledged the shortcomings in air traffic controller staffing and said the FAA is making progress toward alleviating that issue.

“Cancellations and delay rates were at unacceptable proportions last year. And it’s important that that doesn’t happen again,” Buttigieg said during a Tuesday press conference.

Thus so far this year, US carriers have canceled 1.4% of flights, FlightAware data shows. That’s better than the 10-year average. It’s also a substantial improvement from the 2.4% cancellation rate US carriers recorded for all of last year.

Buttigieg noted that improvement but also said that this weekend will be a test of the system. He said the department would take a two-pronged approach to dealing with airlines, working collaboratively

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These 7 Locations Have Just Been Named The Best Places In The World To Visit

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US News & World Report just released its annual rankings, highlighting 16 categories of destinations to help travelers find the best place for their vacation plans.

One list stands out as the best of the top destinations worldwide, listing 30 of the best places to visit around the globe for an epic vacation this year.

Bora Bora luxury hotel vacation tourist woman relaxing by ocean beach with view of Mt Otemanu in Tahiti, French Polynesia copy

The “World’s Best Places To Visit” list is geared towards every type of traveler this year, from bucket lists of beach trips to national parks, mountains, and popular city breaks. With choices from around the globe, an overall top list, including 30 destinations, is ranked. Readers can then vote to add certain shortlisted destinations to the list as well.

Rankings are determined by equal parts user score and editor score, looking at expert opinions, votes from readers, and overall current trends for destinations around the world.

Additional

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Travel Leaders Network Names Travel Agent Next Door Member of the Year

Travel Leaders Network recognized its top Affiliate Member agencies in Canada with Power of the Partnership (POP) Awards. These awards are a “people’s choice award,” having been voted on by Travel Leaders Network members in Canada.

The winners were honored during the annual EDGE conference, held from May 08-10 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, TN.

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The conference brought together travel advisors and industry partners including airlines, cruise lines, hotels and resorts, destinations and tour companies. Participants have an opportunity to stay ahead of industry trends by choosing from more than 100 classes, networking with colleagues and supplier partners and attending presentations by industry experts as well as Travel Leaders Network leadership.

“Travel Leaders Network is proud to recognize and honor these member agencies for their outstanding success, demonstrated partnerships with preferred suppliers and dedication to serving their clients,” said Christine James, Vice President of

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The “special forces” travel fad among young people in China could be bad news for Beijing

Chinese tourists take their photo with the Forbidden City in the background from Jingshan Park during a sandstorm on March 28, 2021 in Beijing, China. China's capital and the northern part of the country was hit with a sandstorm Sunday, sending air quality indexes of PM 2.5 and PM 10 ratings into the thousands for the second time in as many weeks.

Chinese tourists take their photo with the Forbidden City in the background from Jingshan Park during a sandstorm on March 28, 2021 in Beijing, China. China’s capital and the northern part of the country was hit with a sandstorm Sunday, sending air quality indexes of PM 2.5 and PM 10 ratings into the thousands for the second time in as many weeks.

Young Chinese travelers are hitting the road after three years of covid restrictions, and their approach is all about speed, thrift, and fun.

The new fad, called “special force-style travel” (特种兵式旅游), has gone viral in China over the past couple months. The idea is simple: travel to as many touristic sites in as little time as possible, all while spending the least amount of money. The grueling itineraries that result from the philosophy have earned it the military comparison.

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“Special forces” tourism began trending during China’s

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Travelers in Two Minds About JR Rail Pass Price Increase

As recovery from the pandemic labors on and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to send economic shockwaves across the globe, inflation has become an inextricable facet of modern life. The price of more than 12,000 food items in Japan has increased or is expected to increase this year at an average of 16%. The Tokyo government made international headlines last year with entreaties to the public to wear turtlenecks at home to save money on energy bills. While the average price of a Tokyo condo hit a record high for the second straight year in 2022.

One of the biggest commercial price hikes of the year is that of the Japan Rail (JR) Pass. The multi-use ticket is available to non-residents only and provides full access to JR lines, including most of the Shinkansen trains. It currently comes in three basic forms: a seven-day pass for ¥29,650, a 14-day pass

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New Demon Slayer Villain Offers Valuable Lessons About Japanese Culture

Demon Slayer, also known as Kimetsu no Yaiba, has become one of the biggest media franchises in the world. What is the secret of this deceptively simple anime about a young boy hunting human-eating demons to avenge his family? Well, it might be the fact that it is is strangely educational. For one, it takes place in Japan during the Taisho period (1912–1926). This is a setting we rarely see in anime. The country at the time had settled down after the turmoil of the Meiji restoration and dedicated itself to modernization and Westernization. This is all addressed in the fantasy series. A recent addition to the show, however, goes further, offering lessons in Japanese mythology, history and language. Here’s what audiences can learn from the Demon Slayer characters, Hantengu.

Half-Tengu’s Full-on Lesson About Japanese Folklore

Hantengu is a demon and one of the main antagonists of the third season.

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8 Cool Bars in Tokyo You Need To Check Out

With Japan finally open to tourists from around the globe and the weather warming up, now is the perfect time for a night out in the metropolis. Here is a list of cool bars in Tokyo we wholeheartedly recommend.

Photo courtesy of Gold Bar at Edition

1.
Gold Bar at Edition

Located next to the entrance of The Tokyo Edition, Toranomon, Gold Bar at Edition is like a throwback to the Golden Age of Cocktails, when people loved to mix drinks. It’s not just a bar but a high-class social spot. Of course, you have the classic cocktails, but Gold Bar at Edition also takes traditional flavors and elevates them to new heights with a modern twist and local Japanese tastes.

It has a gorgeous interior with black tones and extravagant gold decorations. Plus, there’s also comfortable sofas, so it’s a great place to either socialize or enjoy some private

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