Tama Depa: A Final Goodbye
The Tama Depa is a place every Tamagotchi fan dreamed of, a department store exclusively for Tamagotchi products. The Tama Depa’s carried every Tamagotchi branded item you could imagine, and some you would have never even thought of. Sadly today, February 26, 2017 the last Tama Depa in Harajuku Japan has closed its doors.
The Tama Depa in Harajuku was the most well-known one although there were other locations that had previously closed. The Harajuku Tama Depa originally had a doughnut shop containing eight doughnut flavors, drinks, and ice cream, and had a Kuchipatchi of Truth (a fortune telling Kuchipatchi statue) outside the store. Years ago the Tama Depa moved to a smaller location, roughly half the size of the original.
Many of us Tamagotchi fans never got the opportunity to visit a Tama Depa, but have only seen pictures and videos. The inside was quite vibrant with colorful product displays, Tamagotchi themed signage and of course the famous Tama Depa doughnuts. The Tama Depa was a great place to find Tamagotchi’s, Tamagotchi accessories and of course the Tamagotchi Deka’s where you would earn exclusive items.
Although it is unclear why Bandai decided to close the last standing Tama Depa we must assume it is because of declining sales and interest in the Tamagotchi brand. Bandai will continue selling Tamagotchi products through their online website and through retailers throughout Japan, but it just won’t be the same.
The Tama Depa was a core part of the Tamagotchi community, soon it will just be a memory; but it will never be forgotten. Goodbye.
