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Kids magazine comes with functioning ticket gate machine, makes beeping sounds when gates open

Katie Pask Feb 28, 2022
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New edition of children’s magazine Youchien even has adults reaching for their wallets.

Anyone who has bought a magazine in Japan will be aware that they often come with a free gift, and sometimes they can be pretty high quality for something that’s considered an extra.

One magazine in particular that has a history of giving away cool freebies is children’s magazine Youchien. Youchien, which means “kindergarten” in Japanese, is a magazine that focuses primarily on young kids, with some parenting tips for adults included too. Despite being a children’s magazine, though, the free gifts that come with it are so sophisticated that it often causes a buzz with adults as well.

And you certainly don’t need to be in pre-school to enjoy the upcoming May edition of Youchien magazine, which comes with a fully functioning ticket machine gate.

次号はこちらです。 pic.twitter.com/Qiynw8qWgC

— 小学館『幼稚園』編集部 (@youchien_hensyu) February 22, 2022

In collaboration with Japan Railways East Mechatronics, Inc., Youchien magazine’s May edition will come with a paper-craft version of the famous JR automated ticket gates. The gates will also include a motorised door that opens and closes, and will make one of three beeping sounds when the miniature Suica IC card that’s included in the pack is swiped.

The ticket gates are the latest in the magazine’s long history of giving away incredible free paper-craft gifts — take the current edition of Youchien, which comes with moving cup ramen:

幼稚園4月号ふろくは日清食品さんとコラボした「びょんびょんカップヌードル」。麺が動いている約20秒間に、10個の具材をすべて載せられたら成功です。カップの大きさは、本物のカップヌードルと同じ。具材置き場として「ふた」も付いています。2月26日ごろ発売。1180円です。 pic.twitter.com/LOaeJAFDT9

— 小学館『幼稚園』編集部 (@youchien_hensyu) February 22, 2022

▼ Or this ATM that dispenses paper money from the December 2019 edition.

幼稚園9月号ふろくは「セブン銀行ATM」。モーターユニット内蔵で、お札の出し入れが楽しめます。お札を入れるときは、なるべくまっすぐ入れてください。本物と同じサイズのお札が12枚付き。8月1日ごろ発売です。 pic.twitter.com/9uVRXkV6LN

— 小学館『幼稚園』編集部 (@youchien_hensyu) July 29, 2019

▼ Or this UFO catcher with moving arm from the February 2020 edition!

元幼稚園児が『幼稚園』2･3月号の付録でカイシャで遊ぶ図です。 pic.twitter.com/JFIuw8D75t

— セガ公式アカウント🦔 (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) December 23, 2020

Despite the fact that Youchien is a magazine for children, the papercraft freebies always generate a lot of buzz with netizens online, and this issue is no different.

“This feels less like it’s aimed at kids and more like adults who love trains.”
“I’ll have to buy this pretending I’m getting it for a young relative.”
“I hope these copies don’t get snapped up by resellers.”
“Is this really aimed at kindergarten kids?? What will the free gift be next time, ‘build your own smartphone’ or something?”
“Kids in rural areas don’t get to ride the train as often, so this is a really nice free gift.”

May’s issue of Youchien goes on sale March 31 and costs 1390 yen (US$12). Here’s hoping all kids (and big kids!) who want to get their hands on it can get a copy.

Source: Twitter@youchien_hensyu via NetLab
Images: Twitter@youchien_hensyu
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