Japanese pop culture has made a splash in Northern Virginia. From new department stores to markets, there are plenty of spots to try the latest trends, including arcade fun. Here’s where you can find Japanese-style arcades and gachapon machines in NoVA.
Capsule Galaxy
Obsessed with gachapon machines? Visit Capsule Galaxy at Pop-Up District and TeaDM to find adorable collectibles from mini keychains to Pokémon figures. 9416 Fairfax Blvd., Fairfax; 6763 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 10, Falls Church
Ebisu Life Store
NoVA’s latest Asian lifestyle store in Falls Church has its own dedicated arcade. As you wander Ebisu Life Store, you’ll find endless games, and gacha and claw machines filled with collectibles and stuffed animals. After you secure your prizes, pick up Asian snacks and drinks, blind boxes, and more. 6320 Seven Corners, Falls Church
Gatcha VA
NoVA’s newest Japanese arcade is located in Arlington. Not only can you find gacha and claw machines, but the space, which feels like you just entered a video game, also includes blind boxes, photo booths, and additional arcade games. Fashion Centre at Pentagon City: 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington
Kako Claw
You can spend hours getting lost in the bright lights of Kako Claw. Grab a pink shopping carts, a handful of tokens and get to work winning prizes from the claw machines that line the spaces in both Fair Oaks Mall and Springfield Mall. 11960 Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax; 6615 Springfield Mall, Springfield
Round1
This entertainment spot is a one-stop shop for fun. Over in the arcade, you’ll find claw machines, gacha machines, and games imported directly from Japan. Need to take a gaming break? Round1 also has bowling, billiards, karaoke, and more. 2700 Potomac Mills Cir., Woodbridge
Teso Life
Take a gaming break while you’re shopping for Asian snacks and skin care products at Teso Life. The Asian department store features claw machines full of stuffed animals. Keep an eye out, because more locations are coming to NoVA. 13836 Braddock Rd., Centreville
The Hidden Arcade
Located right next to The Hidden Cloud, where you’ll find the store’s anime and trading card shop, is a late-night gaming hub. The walls of the store are lined with dozens of gacha and claw machines. Open until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, you can satisfy your arcade urge at nearly any time. 7031 Little River Tpk., Ste. 11B, Annandale
Feature image courtesy Gatcha VA
