How crane games work

Crane games (UFO catchers, or claw machines) fill whole floors of Japanese arcades. The prizes inside are made only for these machines: plushies, figures, blankets, bags and snacks, often of popular anime and game characters. You can't buy them in stores, so the only way to get one new is to win it.

Playing

1. Check the price on the machine. Most cost ¥100 per play, and many offer a discount when you put in ¥500 at once (for example, 6 plays for ¥500).
2. Put in your coins. Some newer machines also take IC cards; look for a card reader on the machine.
3. Move the crane with the buttons or joystick. On the common two-button machines, the first button moves it sideways and the second moves it back; each button works only once per play, and the crane moves while you hold it.
4. The crane drops and grabs on its own. If the prize falls through the hole, it's yours.

Ask the staff

If a prize looks impossible to reach, or it has slipped into a bad spot, call a staff member. They can often move it to a better position. Staff will also open the machine if your prize gets stuck after you win it. Don't shake or tilt the machine yourself.

When you win something big

Large plushies and boxed figures come in big packages. Most arcades have free bags near the machines or at the counter; just ask. Plan suitcase space before you go for the giant plush.

Which arcade has which prize

Each arcade chooses its own prizes and changes them often, and new prizes reach each arcade on a different day. Large arcade chains in busy areas usually have the widest choice. The dates on this site are when a prize starts arriving at arcades, so it may appear a little later at the one near you.

Set a budget

It is easy to spend more than you planned on one prize. Decide how much you will spend before you start, and ask staff for help before you hit that limit.