
If you can’t eat ’em, wear ’em.
Remember the ultra-popular hamster-shaped monaka snacks being sold by the 120-year old Kyoto confectionary Aoki Kouetsudo? Even over a year after its initial release, it’s still constantly sold out. Now there’s a version of it with no expiration date! Japanese capsule toy company Tamakyu teamed up with Aoki Kouetsudo to create non-edible capsule toys shaped like the shop’s hamster-shaped snacks.
▼ Just in time for autumn, when hamsters will be stocking up on nuts for the winter!
These Hamster Monaka capsule toys, priced at 300 yen (US$2) each, went on sale October 28 and can be found in capsule toy machines across Japan. Each one comes with a nut-shaped brooch inside so that you can match your little buddy.
▼ Which style would you choose?
There are six varieties of the toy split into two styles: plain and chocolate. The only difference in the hamster’s appearance between the two styles are that the eyes and ears have been filled in with a “chocolate pen”–not edible, of course. The plain one, however, is the hamster that most closely resembles the edible hamster monaka.
▼ Are you more of an almond hamster or a cashew hamster?
Besides that, each hamster is holding either a walnut, a cashew, or an almond. You can pop open the hamster like an actual monaka, and inside there will be the included brooch. Use it to store other things as well–like some edible snacks, perhaps?
Tamakyu is holding a Twitter campaign, too! By following Tamakyu’s Twitter account retweeting the campaign Tweet linked below, you can be entered for a chance to win a complete set of the Monaka Hamster capsule toys. Entries will be accepted until November 4 at 5 p.m. (JST).
Sources: PR Times, Twitter/@TAMAKYU_CP
Images: PR Times



These adorable hamster-shaped monaka will make a great gift, or maybe just a snack for yourself
Mini karate-chop roof tiles you can actually destroy are Japan’s newest capsule toy【Videos】
Japan’s new Coins of Destiny capsule toys want to help you answer life’s most important questions
Cute cat-shaped food and kitchen appliances hit the gachapon capsule toy market
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Capsules that Absolutely Won’t Open【Photos】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Nagoya’s dark-red miso has continued to capture tastebuds for generations
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
What’s inside the McDonald’s Japan fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
This balding middle-aged fairy is one of Japan’s most unique mascot characters
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Drunk cycling can result in an instantly suspended driver’s license in Japan
Happy New Year from SoraNews24!
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
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
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
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
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
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
Super-expensive capsule toys – Trying out Japan’s Premium Gachapon machine【Photos】
Japan’s newest weird capsule toys are…super realistic capsule rocks?!?【Photos】
Bandai releases a retro item with zodiac signs in gachapon capsule toy form…but what is it?
Christmas cat capsule toy hats from Japan will make your holiday feline festivities jolly
Japan’s newest capsule toys: Buff shirtless dude torso cushions, sometimes with very pink nipples
Akihabara capsule toy lucky bag is filled with cute characters and cool crap (literally)【Photos】
Squeezable tanuki testicle capsule toys, with choking warning for kids, appear in Japan, but why?
Peeing Shiba Inu figures are Japan’s latest quirky, maybe-cute capsule toy offerings【Photos】
Low-quality paper cranes folded by young gyaru – Japan’s newest weird capsule toys
Gacha capsule toy machine sells Casio watch rings in Japan, and we try to get all of them
Animals weighing themselves are Japan’s newest line of strangely relatable capsule toys figures
Celebrate famous works of art AND cats with these adorably clever “Cats in Art” capsule toys
Japan’s mini VHS anime home video replicas are the newest blast of capsule toy nostalgia【Pics】
Real-kitty-litter snow globes coming soon to Japan’s capsule toy vending machines【Photos】
New capsule toys from Japan let you carry plush fried food wherever you go
Leave a Reply