
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
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Does the maxixe live up to its promise of being a whole new flavor for our Japanese reporter?
Japanese pop idol A-chan reveals she’s always wanted to marry a fan, and she’s done it
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
The 5 best Japanese bento to buy at Kyoto Station
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Maker of Japan’s first crane machine is looking for a working model, offering 100,000-yen reward
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana, forged by master swordsmith, now on display【Pics】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Tokyo all-you-can-eat senbei deal is perfect for newbies to the world of beloved Japanese snacks
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
The deluxe disappointment and basic brilliance of Japan’s oldest standing soba noodle chain
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
JR Hokkaido train driver in trouble for reading book about trains on stopped train
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Studio Ghibli releases new anime tea and mugs in Japan
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
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
Japan’s largest anime megashop to open new branch in Akihabara specifically for women
Host King Roland goes to Akihabara disguised as a foreign otaku 【Video】
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