Gashapon mania

If you're inclined to collect cute stuff, there are chances that in Japan you will be tempted by the Gashapon mania. Originally invented by Bandai, the gashapon machines are now available throughout the world, but in Japan the quality of the items really stands out. Amazingly, sometimes the real object looks way better than... the picture promoting it.

Anyway, since the items usually cost only 200 yen (a little more than a bottle of soda), if you're ever tempted by a set, go ahead and try an item. Chances are you won't regret it and you may even try another one...

This is one of my amusements when I'm in Akihabara and many times I found myself going for the whole collection... Then the last item, the one hardest to get, automatically becomes the preferred one... (^_^)