
PlayStation VR, anime figurines, a hair dryer; you can get a lot for $5,000 in Akihabara.
Tokyo Otaku Mode‘s Otaku Prize Spin has some juicy prizes, including trips to Japan, free Japanese lessons, plushie collections, and even a Ladybeard body pillow. One prize they offered recently was goods from a $5,000 shopping spree in Akihabara.
“But I’m not in Japan!” you may have thought. That’s fine. Relying on Japanese otakus’ intimate knowledge of the neighborhood (and their outstanding morals), Tokyo Otaku Mode asked ten people to go on a $500 shopping spree in Akihabara for the winner of the grand $5,000 prize. The best part? They made a video of it!
Tokyo Otaku Mode recruited friendly-looking fellows straight off the streets, asking if they’d be willing to help run some errands for them. With $500 (about 50,000 yen) in hand, they hit the stores. Akihabara is well known as a haven for high-tech and anime-related goods, so shoppers came up with some pretty cool stuff.
▼ Among some of the more high-tech goodies were things like a PlayStation Vita…
▼ …and Virtual Boy, an old-school virtual reality machine from Nintendo.
Buyers also decided gadgets like a hair dryer and an ice cream maker were worth purchasing. There were, of course, anime goods such as figurines and T-shirts thrown into the mix as well.
When Tokyo Otaku Mode asked their volunteers to go shopping, they emphasized that they wanted buyers to find interesting items. Some groups took that to heart and shopped accordingly.
▼ For instance, here’s a bowl shaped like a human head. Feed your hidden zombie desires.
They also included a book titled “The History of Potato Chips in Japan.” Potato chips have been a big deal recently in light of the potato shortage that forced snack company Calbee to temporarily halt the production of Pizza Potatoes.
All said and bought, this was the final outcome: a pile of plastic and paper bags that covered an entire table surface and spilled over onto the floor.
▼ I shudder just thinking of the shipping costs.
You could say that Tokyo Otaku Mode’s giveaway not only shows us what cool things lurk in Akihabara, but also makes you think about what you would buy if you were asked to shop for a total stranger.
Interested in other shopping sprees? Take a look at how far will 10,000 yen get you in Harajuku’s fashion world with the aid of two teenage experts!
Sources and images: YouTube/Tokyo Otaku Mode, Tokyo Otaku Mode





Gigantic eight-floor anime figure shop skyscraper opening in Tokyo’s Akihabara this month
Otaku gather in the Akihabara night as Toranoana dojinshi shop permanently closes【Photos】
Akihabara then and now: Photos show how Tokyo neighborhood has changed over the past 10 years
For-foreigners stamp rally begins in Akihabara, gives prizes for walking the otaku neighborhood
This one photo shows how tough times are in Tokyo’s Akihabara these days
Foreign worker in Japan fends off armed robber with single word, gets no respect from local media
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
We tried super spicy wasabi ramen and yakisoba that’s rumored to make anyone cry【Taste Test】
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Dragon Quest Burgers and Slime drinks are coming to McDonald’s Japan【Video】
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 nicest sounds in Japan【Weird Top Five】
Celebrate May with a visit to Mei and Satsuki’s house from Ghibli’s My Neighbor Totoro
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
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Starbucks on a Shinkansen bullet train platform: 6 tips for using the automated store in Japan
Is this the most relaxing Starbucks in Japan?
Large amount of supposed human organs left in Osaka marketplace
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
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
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
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
Man arrested for hunting the nerdiest game: Akihabara otaku
Finding some mind-boggling products from the dark corners of Akihabara
We hunt for a PS5 in a high-stakes capsule toy machine in Akihabara
Akihabara Radio Kaikan’s gacha capsule toy lucky bag is an otaku delight【Photos】
Akihabara’s otaku shrine celebrates PlayStation 5 launch with ethereal one-night event
Animegane: World’s first anime eyewear store opens in Akihabara
【Lucky Bag Roundup 2017】 We push our luck with a 3,000 yen “lucky bag” from Akihabara junk shop
Host King Roland goes to Akihabara disguised as a foreign otaku 【Video】
Japan’s largest anime megashop to open new branch in Akihabara specifically for women
Empty Akihabara – Tokyo’s otaku district hit hard by coronavirus outbreak【Photos】
Hair salon just for otaku would turn getting a haircut into a mini anime convention experience
Entire shop of Cardcaptor Sakura anime merchandise to open in Tokyo this month
Akihabara in the ’80s looked very different to Tokyo’s otaku mecca today【Video】
Akihabara shop lets you destroy your own hard drives for only 100 yen
Akihabara landmark Toranoana is permanently closing, chain downsizes to just one branch in Japan
Leave a Reply