
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
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Shinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
Wagyu ramen for foreign tourists appears in Kabukicho, with a very high price tag
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
Did you know? Only one Beard Papa’s in all of eastern Japan sells soft serve in a cream puff
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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
Host King Roland goes to Akihabara disguised as a foreign otaku 【Video】
【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
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
Akihabara in the ’80s looked very different to Tokyo’s otaku mecca today【Video】
Akihabara landmark Toranoana is permanently closing, chain downsizes to just one branch in Japan
Entire shop of Cardcaptor Sakura anime merchandise to open in Tokyo this month
Akihabara shop lets you destroy your own hard drives for only 100 yen