
Need some new figures for your desk? Then check out these Buddhist statue figures from Kaiyodo!
The makers of capsule toys (or “gachapon“) in Japan often seem to be on a never-ending quest to produce the most bizarre toys possible. From theater seats to the older ladies of Osaka, it’s almost impossible to guess what the next round of capsule toys will be. This month, it seems manufacturer Kaiyodo had decided to get pious and will be releasing figures of Buddhist statues! You’ll be able to get three versions of ashura statues and two versions of both fujin and raijin, deities of wind and lightning, respectively.
▼ One of the ashura figures
Among the lowest ranked of the Buddhist deities, ashura are higher up the spiritual ladder than humans but below most other deities. They also have four to six arms and three faces, so we’re betting they’d be awesome as Mortal Kombat bosses…
The ashura figures come in three types: Wood, bronze, and “full color.” Obviously, the figures aren’t actually made of these materials or we imagine they’d cost a fair bit more than their current price of 400 yen (about US$3.30)!
The fujin, or wind deity, figures and raijin, or lightning deities, come in two varieties, bronze and “ivory.” Again, these figures aren’t actually made of bronze or ivory, but they certainly will look great wherever you decide to place them!
▼ One of the fujin figures with a bag of wind
The figures actually small enough to literally fit in the palm of your hand, as you’d expect of a capsule toy. This makes them excellent as extra souvenirs to bring home for anyone you might have forgotten!
The seven figures are available from gachapon machines at Village Vanguard and Tokyu Hands. If you’re not much of a gambler, you can also order a six-piece set from Amazon Japan for 3,900 yen (about US$32), though it won’t include the “full color” ashura figure.
Now, head to your nearest gachapon machine and extinguish your desire by acquiring the figures you want most!









Keep your smartphone safe in a pouch styled after Japanese Shinto/Buddhist protection amulets
New gachapon figures resurrect centuries-old toys for your amusement
Father and son dissect a gachapon capsule toy machine to show us its magical insides【Video】
Super-expensive capsule toys – Trying out Japan’s Premium Gachapon machine【Photos】
It’s a trap (Japanese capsule toy)!
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Man in Japan falls into hole with a bear in it
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Is Japan’s new pudding ice cream bar too much deliciousness to handle? 【Taste test】
As rumors swirl of 7-Eleven shorting customers on rice ball fillings, we check on their sujiko
Is this Japan’s most extreme cherry blossom viewing? Leap, cycle and climb through 2,500 sakura
Why doesn’t Japan hate America for dropping the A-bombs?
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
New gachapon figures from Japan imagine a romance beyond bathroom boundaries
New gachapon set introduces capsule toy cat toys for your capsule toy cats!
Retired pro wrestler Riki Choshu greets you at the door in this new line of sound gachapon toys
New gachapon figures of Choju-giga animals are the perfect way to decorate your afternoon drink!
New gachapon vending machine capsule toy range features miniature sweaters for water bottles
New world record – Tokyo capsule toy shop will have more machines in one spot than anywhere else
Mysterious hand figures turn out to be our new favourite Japanese capsule toys
Japan’s letter-from-little-sister capsule toys become even more disturbing with new content
Super-tiny manga that you can actually read are our new capsule toy obsession【Photos】
Photos of Complete Strangers: Japan’s new strange, and strangely compelling, capsule toys【Pics】