Capsule toys and souvenirs made from upcycled acrylic partitions used during the coronavirus pandemic have become a massive hit among tourists visiting Fujiyoshida, Japan. This initiative not only aids in waste reduction but also channels a portion of the proceeds directly toward managing the infrastructural challenges and overtourism issues at Arakurayama Sengen Park, a destination that attracts over a million visitors annually.
Located in Yamanashi Prefecture, the park is one of Japan’s most iconic photography spots. The area offers a breathtaking view of the five-story Chureito pagoda with the snow-capped Mount Fuji in the background. This highly shareable panoramic view draws more than a million visitors to the city each year, including a remarkably high number of foreign tourists.
Unexpected Sales Records in the Capsule Toy Market
To cater to the influx of tourists and generate municipal revenue, the local government installed a capsule toy (gachapon) machine right next to the pagoda last October. The project has yielded results that far exceeded original expectations. City officials initially projected annual sales of 15,000 units, but within just the first three months of installation, 40,000 toys were sold. The winter season saw no slowdown: the machine dispensed 16,000 units in both November and December.
From Pandemic Protection to Tourism Souvenirs
The unique appeal of these capsule toys lies in their raw material. Every souvenir is crafted from recycled acrylic panels that were installed nationwide to prevent droplet infection during the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors can currently pull three types of items from the machines:
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Mount Fuji and pagoda keychains available for 300 yen.
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Lucky charm (omamori) style accessories priced at 400 yen.
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3D acrylic stands sold for 500 yen.
Corporate Collaboration: 20 Tons of Recycled Plastic
The municipal government entrusted the production of these souvenirs to Spring Inc., an aquarium manufacturing company based in nearby Otsuki. As the pandemic eased, the company began exploring sustainable ways to utilize discarded acrylic partitions. Through their own recall system and postal networks, they have collected approximately 20,000 panels from across Japan, which amounts to roughly 20 tons of raw material. The company successfully applied its expertise in recycling aquarium manufacturing waste (such as creating picture frames) to the industrial upcycling of these acrylic panels.
Combating Overtourism
Beyond waste reduction, the initiative provides significant financial support to the region. For every capsule sold, Spring Inc. donates 100 yen to the city of Fujiyoshida. The municipality explicitly allocates these funds to mitigate the impacts of overtourism, such as upgrading tourist restrooms and combating littering.
The area surrounding the park was historically a quiet residential neighborhood, but the drastic surge in visitors has led to severe traffic congestion and waste management issues. According to city data, the combined annual cost of providing traffic control security guards and maintaining trash cans and restrooms reaches 100 million yen. A city official confirmed that because the project is eco-friendly, delights visitors, and benefits the local community, they fully intend to continue operating the machines.
A Nationwide Upcycling Trend
The process of “upcycling” discarded acrylic sheets—transforming plastic destined for the landfill into new products with added value—is gaining momentum across Japan. For example, Tokyo-based Tsukuri Co. specializes in processing used materials to manufacture items like earrings, necklaces, and rulers. According to the company, utilizing pre-colored acrylic sheets formerly used in department store window displays enables creative designs and the application of a wide spectrum of color shades in next-generation products.
Official Source and Reference:
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Original English Article via Yomiuri Shimbun: Japan Tourist Spot’s Capsule Toys Made from Recycled Materials Prove Popular with Visitors to Mt. Fuji Viewing Spot