
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
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting the lines at a popular Tokyo gyukatsu restaurant?
Japan’s most famous Mt. Fuji view park cancels cherry blossom festival because of overtourism
Three beautiful places to see Japan’s plum blossoms after starting your day in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s job-quitting service claims bosses contact it to try to make their employees quit
Here comes a new katsudon: ice cream katsudon?!?
McDonald’s adds a questionable Butterscotch Pie to its menu in Japan
Naruto jerseys coming to Major Leage Baseball theme nights, Hello Kitty to take over a field
Spirited Away adds a dash of Ghibli beauty to hanafuda flower cards【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases the new Soupuccino, but is it everything it’s cracked up to be?
Ghost in the Sheel goes traditional with Japanese porcelain Tachikoma robots, only 50 to be made
Yokai are descending upon Tokyo this spring in the latest immersive art experience
New Studio Ghibli stamps leave an impression on your stationery…and your heart
Japan cherry blossom forecast update moves up sakura dates for many parts of the country
Cherry blossom forecasts map shows Japan’s OTHER sakura season is starting right now
Japan’s Naruto theme park now offering real-world version of Minato’s kunai ninja weapon
Japan has a new bar just for people thinking about quitting their jobs, and the drinks are free
Morning-after pill finally available in Japan without a prescription, must be taken at pharmacy
And now, we eat a bear paw we bought in Japan’s Chiba Prefecture【Taste test】
Studio Ghibli turns My Neighbour Totoro characters into bag charms for everyday adventures
Japanese women sound off on their minimum height requirements for a husband【Survey】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Japan releases first official sakura cherry blossom forecast for 2026
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Archfiend Hello Kitty appears as Sanrio launches new team-up with Yu-Gi-Oh【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning looks to be affecting tourist crowds on Miyajima
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys from Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
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
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
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
Tokyo’s by-anime-fans, for-anime-fans hair salon is now open for business
Leave a Reply