Company: Kura
Release: 2 September 2023
Size: Various
Main distribution: Japan / UK
Barcode: 4515732213179
This is a Gashapon set of Kura Miniatures, by Kura Sushi. Kura Sushi is one of the biggest restaurant chains in Japan, with over 540+ locations. When you finish 5 plates, you get to play a game, and if you win, you get a free Gashapon! It’s so popular, it now also has its own Gashapon series outside the restaurant, like this one.
The miniatures can be obtained through a Gashapon machine. They come in semi transparent balls, so you can see which one you have prior to opening it.
The miniatures are wrapped in plastic and also come with a coloured leaflet.
There are 5 miniatures to collect. I got 2/5.
Shrimp Tempura Udon & Chopstick Holder
with chopstick pile and chopsticks
The leaflet reads: The natural dashi used in our udon and ramen is, of course, free of the four major additives. We use plenty of ingredients such as bonito flakes and kelp from carefully selected areas and provide them to you in our store every day.
The ramen bowl comes with a separate lid. There is a shiny clear layer on the ramen, giving it a realistic soup effect. The chopsticks holder can open and close. Inside is a pile of chopsticks, which is loose and can be removed. The Chopsticks are stuck to each other, like unused chopsticks and appear wooden or a light brown plastic.
Kiwami Aged Tuna & Touch Screen
with antibacterial sushi cover freshness, Gari and Chopsticks
The leaflet reads: “Kiwami Aged Tuna” is a very popular product that uses a unique aging method on scientific data to reproduce the ultimate flavour. The touch screen not only makes ordering fun and easy, but when the “Bikaru Pon!” game starts, the screen changes and you can enjoy an exciting lottery video.
The cover opens and closes. The little plate is Kura branded and can be removed from the cover. It is white with blue markings. The sushi is also loose from the plate and can therefor be removed too, which is a cute tuna nigiri. The Gari (Japanese pickled Ginger) comes on its own little plate which it is stuck to. The Chopsticks are stuck to each other, like unused chopsticks and appear wooden or a light brown plastic. The touch screen shows the “Bikaru Pon!” game, which appears after having eaten 5 plates, and can win you a Gashapon. The back shows the Kura logo.
I hope to one day visit a Kura restaurant myself. Until then, this will have to do. I like how meta this Gashapon set is, so I had to try and get one. It costs £5, but this is equivalent to the Japanese price so not bad I guess.
I’m very happy with the one I got, as I feel it encompasses the most “Kura” sushi belt experience; sushi and the tablet with game. When I went back a few weeks later and it was still here, I tried again, hoping to add the ramen. And with my luck I got it!
I do feel like the scale is slightly too big for my purposes, but it’s still cute. I love the detail in it, and the fact it all opens and is all loose.
If you like miniatures, sushi, Kura or Gashapon, you might like these too.
If you prefer non-food miniatures, you’ll give these a miss.
Got any more details / information you think I should add? Or did I get something wrong? Do you own these miniatures? Do you agree or disagree with my findings? Let me know in the comments below!