Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop

The colorful displays and activities make Tamagotchi feel a lot less stressful than what we remember.

If you grew up in the late ‘90s or early 2000s, it’s quite likely you’ll feel an instant twang of nostalgia when you hear the word “Tamagotchi.” The sole purpose of these handheld, egg-shaped digital pets was to be taken care of. You could feed them, clean up after them, and if you neglected them, you would watch them perish.

The tamagotchi craze passed, only to have a resurgence within the last decade alongside the rerelease of the original Tamagotchi design, collaborations with other brands, and newer, more in-depth gameplay.

In November 2025, a permanent themed shop opened in Harajuku, Tokyo, on the third floor of the shopping mall Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado”.

Despite the teeming crowds, entry to the shop is smooth. However, you will be required to scan a QR code to register first, and only when it’s your turn will you be able to go in.

The moment you step inside, you’re fully immersed in the Tamagotchi world, a space filled with pop colors, playful displays, and exclusive merchandise you can’t find anywhere else.

There are also hands-on experiences like patch-making.

As well as a “stuff-as-much-as-you-want” mini Tamagotchi activity.

You can also have a turn at the capsule toy corner, but be warned that they seem to be really popular, so they could be sold out when you visit.

One aspect of the store that really stands out is the factory-themed video exhibit.

The displays resemble a production line, showing a detailed animated video of how Tamagotchi are made.

First, a chicken lays an egg.

Then the screen appears and the buttons are attached.

There’s even a section where the defective products get properly removed.

However, it doesn’t end with just a simple explanation of the manufacturing process, as there are scenes showing nighttime cleaning and power generation inside the factory.

You could very easily spend up to 20 minutes just watching the mesmerizing displays.

When your gaze finally trails to the end of the screens, you’ll be greeted by a display of real Tamagotchi.

On the fourth floor of the same building, there’s also a free event space called “Tamagotchi Factory! Annex”, which is open until January 4.

Just when you thought you couldn’t relive your poop-cleaning days, here you can try games like the “poop cleaning challenge,” where players aim to toss ten poop-shaped items into the targets in front of them in just 20 seconds.

If you get five or more in, you receive one mini colorful poop, but if you successfully get all ten—a feat only achieved by three or four people so far during the event period—you receive three.

If aiming and throwing is not your strong point, there’s also a badge-making experience that even young children can try, costing 550 yen (US$3.51) for a set of two.

According to the staff, these badges are limited items available only during this period, although the design might be different since it’s now after Christmas.

There are extra activities, including photo sessions with two of the characters, a nail sticker application experience for elementary school children and younger, message boards, and other highlights throughout the event space.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering Tamagotchi for the first time, this shop makes for a worthwhile visit, be it as a quick stop while you’re in Harajuku or as a destination. If you do go, don’t forget to call into the Chiikawa Bakery in the shopping mall on the opposite corner for a day filled with cuteness.

Store information
Tamagotchi Factory / たまごっち ふぁくとり～！
Address: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Jingumae 6-31-21 Tokyu Plaza Harajuku “Harakado” 3-kai
東京都渋谷区神宮前6-31-21 東急プラザ原宿「ハラカド」3階
Open: 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Website

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Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party

Including fresh pizzas, fried chicken, and a suspiciously familiar tote bag.

There are countless food-themed lucky bags up for grabs around New Year’s, where people can sample a selection of delicious food at a discounted price. Back in 2024, Pizza Hut made waves in the market by introducing the industry-first hot lucky bag, containing freshly baked pizzas and a heat-retaining tote bag, and have continued the tradition ever since. So, what’s in the lucky bag for 2026?

The lucky bags come in three varieties, each with different serving sizes: for two to three people, four to six people, and six to nine people. We opted for the middle of the lineup, which cost 5,960 yen (US$38.05) for takeout, and 7,700 yen for delivery.

The smaller costs 5,000 yen for takeout (5,960 yen for delivery), and the larger costs 7,320 yen for takeout (9,400 yen for delivery).

Inside our order, we received:

▼ Winter Premium 4 with a Cheesy Roll Crust: Premium Margherita, Juicy Thick-Cut Iberico, Luxurious Red Snow Crab and Shrimp, and Rich Beef Tongue Stew.

▼ Pizza Hut Best 4: Snappy Potato Sausage, Pizza Hut Margherita, Super Korean Bulgogi, and Terimayo Chicken.

▼ Double Chicken Combo: Hut-Fried Potatoes, Medium-Size Japanese Tatsuta Chicken (ginger soy sauce flavor), and Medium-Size Chicken Nuggets.

▼ Original Tote Bag, approximately 74 centimeters wide, 36 centimeters high, and 36 centimeters deep (about 29 x 14 x 14 inches).

In addition to the above, we received a 1,000-yen off coupon, valid from January 12 to March 31, 2026.

Last year, there were pizzas available in both medium and large sizes, but it seems this year they’re only offering them in a medium size.

Size issues aside, the hot, fresh pizzas were delicious, and sharing them with friends made for a fun, party-like feeling.

Looking just at the prices on the menu, if you were to order the pizzas and chicken combo on any other day, the amount you pay wouldn’t differ too much from what the lucky bag cost. Instead, what you’re really getting is the tote bag and the coupon.

Taking a closer look at the bag, we felt a strange sense of deja vu. This bag looks almost identical… no, wait… it’s exactly the same as the bag we got last year. Did they just have too much stock remaining that they didn’t bother to offer a new design?

We probably wouldn’t have batted an eyelid had the bag been the same each year, but in 2024, the bag was beige with a pizza pattern.

▼ The design for 2024’s tote bag

So, we assumed that they would keep giving out bags for carrying pizza, but switch up the design each year. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Even so, this bag is really quite sturdy, and has come in handy many times over the course of last year when we needed to carry a lot of items together.

▼ It of course fits plenty of pizza.

▼ And even has room for a feline overlord or two.

On top of what you receive in the lucky bag, there’s also an additional lottery where ten people can win 10,000 yen worth of Pizza Hut online gift credit.

If you’re thinking about having a pizza party this New Year’s, Pizza Hut’s lucky bags are on sale until January 4, 2026, so make your order soon and grab a bag that’s perfect for your future pizza-carrying journeys.

Related: Pizza Hut Lucky Bag
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