Which Japanese Tamagotchi to choose and where to buy?

[lifou]

Hello,

I will be in Japan, in Narita, and I would like to buy Tamagotchis as a gift for a sibling of 4 children. Can you answer me the following questions:

1) Are Japanese Tamagotchis exclusively in the Japanese language? A person, don’t knowing Japanese, would be capable to use it? We can ask the seller to make the necessary settings (if it is necessary, I do not know at all how it works)?

2) Which models will you advise me? I have two criteria.

First, I would like children playing together, interaction between the Tamagotchis could be possible.

Second, children have a fairly large age gap between them (12 - 7 - 5 - 3 years), so it is probably better to choose different models for the younger ones and for the older ones.

3) Where to buy Tamagotchie? At a duity free at Narita airport, AEON shopping center or Naritasan Omotesando?

Thank you in advance!

 

[ichiro.malfoy]

Welcome to TamaTalk!

1) Yes - Tamagotchis released in Japan are exclusively in Japanese and there are no language settings as they are meant for the domestic market only. For people who do not know Japanese it may be almost impossible to comfortably play with it, but for people who have played with any previous version could (blindly) find their way around it. It comes with a manual but the entire thing will be in Japanese as well.

2) If you'll be in Japan, you'll most likely find the latest version (Tamagotchi Mix) in stores - these can be played with anyone at any age, provided they are comfortable playing with it despite the language barrier. Fair warning: based on the ages you have provided, if they don't know Japanese they might end up getting frustrated at some point as to why some things don't work - so the language barrier is a huge factor to consider. Tamagotchis sell for 5000+ yen and are not cheap toys by any stretch.

3) You can find them at almost any electronics/toy shops. I was able to find one in Yodobashi (both in Shibuya and Ikebukuro), BIC camera and all over Akihabara. Take note that batteries are not included.

I don't remember Narita selling Tamagotchis in Narita's duty-free area --- all I remember are Japanese candies and a bunch of Royce chocolates (those are good BTW )

Quick hint - I was fortunate enough to visit the last Tama-Depa in Harajuku last year before they closed down and I noticed a small signage that says "English user guide available." I didn't buy one (because I already have one, lol!), and I am not entirely sure if this is only offered in the Tama Depa store but you can always ask the storekeeper if they do.

"Sumimasen, eigo no setsumeisho ga arimasu ka?"

It roughly translates to "excuse me, is there an available English manual?" They might probably say no, but it's worth a shot. If you're having a hard time pronouncing setsumeisho (manual), you can replace it with yu-za-gaido (user guide).

Have fun in Japan!

 

[AwesomeGotchi]

When I used to live in Japan, this second hand store always had a few tamagotchi, both vintage and modern.

 

[lifou]

Thanks a lot for yours repliers!!! ^_^