Guides

All our guides to gacha and crane games in Japan: the basics, where to go in each city, and popular characters.

The basics

• How gacha machines work

  How the machines work, what coins you need, and what to do with the empty capsule.

• How crane games work

  Crane games are called クレーンゲーム (kuren gemu) or UFO catchers in Japanese. How much a play costs, how to ask staff for help, and what to do when you win something huge.

• Crane game tips: hashi-watashi (bridge) setups and how to win in Japan

  How Japanese crane games are set up, from the bridge (hashi-watashi) to pushers and hooks, plus how to improve your odds, ask staff for help and set a budget.

• How to get ¥100 coins for gacha machines

  Most gacha machines take only ¥100 coins. Where to find change machines, how to get coins from vending machines and convenience stores, and what to do with leftover coins.

• Gacha shops and arcade chains in Japan

  Gacha specialty shops, gacha corners and arcades: what each one is, the big chains like Gashapon Department Store, #C-pla, GiGO and Taito Station, and which to visit.

• What is Ichiban Kuji? Japan's prize lotteries explained

  How Ichiban Kuji and other Japanese prize lotteries work: buying tickets at the counter, A and B prizes, the Last One prize, and tips.

• Popular gacha series and what they are

  Mejirushi Accessory, Machibouke, Kata Zun Fig., miniatures and more: the gacha and crane game series you will see everywhere in Japan, explained.

• Gacha as souvenirs: what to get and how to bring it home

  Which capsule toys make good souvenirs from Japan, what to do with the capsules, packing big crane game prizes, and prices and tax.

Cities and airports

• Tokyo gacha shops: Akihabara, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya

  Gashapon Department Store in Ikebukuro, arcades along Chuo-dori in Akihabara, plus Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku and Ueno, with a map and shop list for each area.

• Osaka gacha shops: Namba, Shinsaibashi, Umeda, plus Kyoto and Kobe

  The best areas for gacha shops and crane game arcades in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe: Namba and Den Den Town, Shinsaibashi, Umeda, Tennoji, Kawaramachi and Sannomiya.

• Kyoto gacha shops: Kawaramachi, Shinkyogoku and Kyoto Station

  Where to find gacha shops and crane game arcades in Kyoto: the Shinkyogoku and Teramachi arcades near Shijo-Kawaramachi, and AEON MALL KYOTO by Kyoto Station.

• Nagoya gacha shops: Osu, Sakae, Nagoya Station and Kanayama

  Gacha shops and crane game arcades in Nagoya: Osu, Sakae and Oasis 21, the underground malls at Nagoya Station, and Kanayama on the way to Centrair Airport.

• Sapporo gacha shops: Tanukikoji, Susukino and Sapporo Station

  Gacha shops and arcades in central Sapporo: Tanukikoji, Susukino and around Sapporo Station, plus New Chitose Airport.

• Fukuoka gacha shops: Tenjin and Hakata Station

  Gacha shops and crane game arcades in Fukuoka: Tenjin and Hakata Station, including the Hakata Bus Terminal.

• Okinawa gacha shops: Kokusai-dori, Rycom and American Village

  Gacha shops and arcades in Okinawa: AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom, American Village, Naha (Kokusai-dori and Shintoshin) and local chains Joy Jungle and Capsule Jungle.

• Hiroshima gacha shops: Hondori, Kamiyacho and Hiroshima Station

  Gacha shops and arcades in Hiroshima: the Hondori arcade and Kamiyacho near the Peace Memorial Park, Hatchobori, and the station buildings.

• Sendai gacha shops: Clis Road, Ichibancho and Sendai Station

  Gacha shops and arcades in Sendai: the covered arcades from Sendai Station to Ichibancho, and BiVi on the east side of the station.

• Kumamoto and Kagoshima gacha shops: Shimotori and Tenmonkan

  Gacha shops and arcades in Kumamoto (Shimotori, Sakuramachi) and Kagoshima (Tenmonkan), plus the AMU Plaza malls at the main stations.

• Gacha at Haneda, Narita and Kansai airports: shops by terminal

  Gacha World at Haneda, machines at Narita, GACHA MATSURI at Kansai and Dream Capsule at Centrair, by terminal, for spending your last ¥100 coins before you fly.

Characters

• Where to buy Pokémon gacha in Japan

  Who makes Pokémon capsule toys and crane game prizes, where to find them in Japan, and the latest Pokémon releases.

• Sanrio gacha and crane game prizes in Japan

  Hello Kitty, My Melody, Kuromi and Cinnamoroll capsule toys and crane game prizes: who makes them, where to find them, and the latest releases.

• Chiikawa gacha and prizes: where to find them

  Most Chiikawa crane game prizes come through namco arcades, and capsule toys sell out fast. Which shops get more stock and what to do when a machine is empty.

• K-pop gacha and crane game prizes in Japan

  Capsule toys and crane game prizes of K-pop groups such as Stray Kids, IVE, NCT WISH, aespa and TWICE: how to find them in Japan and the latest releases.