Tokyo Shopping Guide: Tama Depa
By Marceline | November 12, 2007
Oh yes, Tama Depa AKA the Tamagotchi superstore (or Tamagotch as they seem to be known in Japan). I’ve never been very taken with the whole virtual pet side of Tamagotchis but after playing the hilarious Nintendo DS Tamagotchi Corner Shop games I am smitten with these completely insane characters. Still, we had no particular urge to seek out ‘gotchi stuff in Tokyo but we picked up a toy catalogue in Kiddyland which advertised the Tama Depa and we had to go see what it was like. Especially since it was smack dab in the centre of Tokyo Dome City, an amusement park! What more fun to have on a sunny day?
We did eventually find the Tama Depa after amusing ourselves on the log flume and ferris wheel and it was completely deserted. A bit of a shame as they have obviously gone to a lot of effort with the store – the windows advertise Tamagotchi hot snacks including donuts and there are gotchi themed gashapon, souvenir stampers and of course, tons and tons of things to buy, from sweets to computer games to blankets. We were both overwhelmed and a bit self-conscious and didn’t really find that much to buy. I was disappointed with the lack of Mimitchi things and only came away with a couple of cool appliques for about £2-£3 each. Everything was a bit overpriced. We did spend some cash in the gashapon and then I sat outside enjoying a chocolate Mametchi lollipop. Not worth a trip in itself unless you’re very obsessed but if you’re at the Tokyo Dome then go see for some very Japanese kawaii madness.
Gashapon treats – stampers and stickers
Mimitchi appliques
Yummy Mametchi chocolate lollipop
Souvenir stampers advertising the tie-in with Japan Airlines
How to get there
** The Tama Depa has now moved to Harajuku, on or beside Nakamise Dori. See Daiso post for directions. Thanks to Karo in the comments for letting me know. **
Tokyo Dome City amusement park is still defi nitely worth a visit though – it’s close to Suidobashi station on JR Sobu line from Akihabara or Shinjuku. Tokyo Dome City is quite well signposted and you can’t miss
the ferris wheel and parachute drop ride. The Tokyo Dome itself is a huge covered stadium designed in the shape of a samurai helmet.
What else to see in Suidobashi?
The rest of Tokyo Dome City! It’s free entry so you just pay for any rides you want to go on. We went on The Big O, the world’s first spokeless ferris wheel and the log flume but weren’t quite up for the Thunder Dolphin, a rollercoaster that goes through one of the buildings and right through the centre of the ferris wheel! There’s also a Toy Kingdom for kids, a shopping mall with a great international supermarket, a restaurant complex and lots of areas to just hang out. There’s even a Moomin Bakery! Definitely a fun afternoon out if you get a sunny day.
The ferris wheel with the rollercoaster tracks going through the middle!
[Tama Depa photo by Nicolette]
Topics: Tokyo Shopping Guide |
5 Comments »
September 15th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Hello everyone,
I’ve just been at the Tokyo Dome today and I found that Tama Depa has moved out. After some research I found out that they are now in Harajuku. It looks like the shop is located right in front of the station, though I couldn’t check that personally yet.
For more info see their official homepage
http://link.channel.or.jp/tamadepa/
hope this is helpful ^^
Karo’s last blog post..Ein virtueller Gruß
October 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Thanks for letting me know – I’ve updated the guide.
October 30th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Oh yes, Karo. That is correct. On my visit to Harajuku I noticed a tamagotchi shop literally opposite the station although it seemed to be advertising tamagotchi doughnuts. It was closed anyhow so I didn’t get a chance to go in.
Also I noticed in one of your entries Marceline I saw a mametchi and mimitchi masks/plushes.
Did you buy any??
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:15 am
Hey , I’m Going There In About Two Weeks Or So , I Can’t Find The Opening Hours And Working Days. Does Anyone Know When It Opens?
February 6th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Awesome article! Do you enjoy papermaking?
- John
Papermaking´s last blog ..Papermaking