
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, knows that despite being in business for 300 years, you haven’t really made it until you own Boardwalk, Mayfair, or in this case Kyoto’s Nishijin Textile Center.
To celebrate their 300th anniversary, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, Japan’s first speciality store, is rolling out with limited Japanese Traditional Art & Crafts Edition Monopoly sets.
Now instead of buying property and railroads, fans of the classic board game and retro/traditional Japanese crafts alike can use their Monopoly money to buy spaces representing iconic toys, utensils, and accessories taken from the nation’s rich history of art.
Each set features Nakagawa Masashichi and Kaiyodo’s gacha gacha figurine set of traditional Japanese papier-mache toys from around the country as game pieces.
▼ Deer (Nara Prefecture), representing Nara’s large deer population
▼ Whale on wheels (Kochi Prefecture), a folk toy representing the Kochi Bay’s whale-watching tourism
▼ Beckoning cat (Aichi Prefecture), where the city of Tokoname, the largest producer of maneki neko (beckoning cats), is located
▼ Rabbit pounding rice cakes (Chiba Prefecture), representing Sawara city’s traditional papier-mache toy crafts going back to the late Meiji Era
This particular mochi-making rabbit one of the area’s most famous pieces, and was chosen as 1999’s Year-of-the-Rabbit New Year’s stamp.
▼ Horse will bells (Iwate Prefecture), representing the Chagu Chagu Umakko Festival in Morioka
▼ Daruma riding a boar (Hyogo Prefecture), representing a figure of Suma papier-mache, which was popular during Japan’s Taisho Period
Or, for those that prefer a more uniform set of game pieces, it also comes with six colorful deer.
Just 5,000 sets will be up for sale, so if you’re interested, it would be a good idea to act fast! Residents of Japan can purchase one here for 9,072 yen (US$89), which will be shipped sometime in mid-April.
Source: Nakagawa Masashichi via Design Taxi
Feature/Insert images: Nakagawa Masashichi












We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Pokémon cakes appear in Japan, but there’s something odd about the collection
We might have found the funniest dish in Kanagawa
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Pokémon cakes appear in Japan, but there’s something odd about the collection
We might have found the funniest dish in Kanagawa
Fallout pop-up shop opens in Tokyo, Mr. Sato makes a bittersweet visit【Photos】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Fallout pop-up shop opens in Tokyo, Mr. Sato makes a bittersweet visit【Photos】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
Family Mart opens first clothing store in Tokyo
Majority of surveyed Japanese teens don’t call parents by standard Japanese words for mom and dad
Studio Ghibli offering reprints of posters from all its anime films made from original plates
Namakopuri: The inexplicable “art idol” group you will hate yourself for loving【J-Tunes】
We visited Saitama’s Pokémon GO-themed cafe to live the Pokémon trainer dream【Photos】
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
Black Thunder Tempura from Japanese udon chain is not a good partner for noodles
Why are there so many reincarnation and villainess anime and manga? Manga editor explains
Secret stairs at Tokyo Station dungeon come with a serious warning
Leave a Reply