In 2024, what started as a time-killer before a dinner appointment ended up being a full-fledged hobby which I practiced almost every weekend. Here are 10 important things I learnt in a year of seriously playing crane games in Japan, many of which are things you should know to save yourself some money.
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1. Pretty much all 3-arm claw setups are kakuritsu-ki
The first thing to know about the popular 3-arm machines is that almost all are 確率機 [kakuritsu-ki]. This means that the claw is designed to be weak/let go until a certain “payout” value, when it will grip tightly until the opening. Nobody knows what value that is, it could be 20 plays or 60 plays, depending on the arcade and machine. My advice is to not rely on the payout but use techniques.
2. Warehouse-style game centers are generally easier to win
Warehouse-style crane game centers tend to have easier settings than arcades located in the heart of the city. These centers have hundreds of crane game machines and are often located in the outskirts or in inaka rural areas. While they may take some time (and money) to travel to, it is often worth it for the easier settings. If you are a beginner, I recommend playing at a warehouse-style arcade first.
3. You can ask staff for assistance
While some warehouse-style arcades and chains may not offer assistance, the big three (Taito Station, GiGO, Round 1) do. As their settings tend to be harder (weak claw setting), don’t hesitate to ask for assistance after playing a lot on a single machine. There is no set figure, as it depends on the value of the prize and the arcade, but I generally ask after spending over 2000 yen. If the staff is nice, they will place the prize in a way that is almost guaranteed to be a get. You can also ask for repositioning (or return to start position) at any time the prize falls somewhere the claw can’t properly reach.
4. The stop function is crucial for techniques
Most 3-claw machines will allow you to make use of a “stop” function by pressing the button again while it is descending. This essentially tells to claw to stop its descent and grasp at that point. Many pro crane gamers utilise this function extensively to move the prize as desired or grab its tag.
While this function is less common in 2-arm setups, some do have a “button 3” that lets you stop as desired. I have rarely seen this in city arcades, but sometimes spot them in warehouse ones.
5. There are many more interesting setups than 3-arm
While 3-arm claw machines make up an overwhelming majority of crane games overseas, there are a wide range of other setups in Japan. Many of which can consistently be won based on skill. The most prominent setup after 3-arm would undoubtedly be 橋渡し [hashi-watashi]. The aim of these setups is to drop the prize through the bars it is resting on. The prize is commonly in the shape of a rectangular box (figurine), a cylinder, or a plushie.
Read my Beginner’s Guide to Mastering Crane Games for an introduction to other oft seen crane game setups in Japan.
6. Download arcade apps for free play coupons every month
Maximise your money by downloading official arcade apps and using the free plays coupons issued every month. The Prize ON app works in selected arcades across Japan, most notably Round 1, Me Tokyo and Plaza Capcom. You get free play coupons for specific arcades, as well as ones that can be used at any affiliated arcade. You also get a free play coupon from every 1500 yen worth of plays.
Official apps by arcade chains also offer good deals. If you sign up for GiGO’s Prize Pass, you get 10 tickets for 500 yen per month, in addition to discounted ticket packs and free play coupons just for checking into arcades. Some apps like Taito also give you points just for opening them each day. Collect enough points and you can swap them for free play vouchers.
7. Online crane game apps can be good practice
Online crane game apps are a convenient solution for those that don’t live near a game arcade, but want their dose of claw action. In these apps, you control the claw remotely from the comfort of your home. A play generally costs more than at an actual arcade, but all have a “get gauge” which guarantees you get the prize after a set number of plays.
Many remote crane game setups feature a placeholder as opposed to the actual prize. Your winnings are delivered free of charge (max once per week) to your home. The main online crane game apps (DMM, Taito, Sega, Namco, etc.) only work within Japan, although there appears to also be a few international ones.
If you live within Japan, read the lowdown the best online crane game apps, in my humble opinion.
8. Japan did not invent claw machines
Contrary to popular belief, claw machines were not invented in Japan, but the United States. But Japan did redefine the game but upping the ante on prizes, which were traditionally just sweets and cheap novelty items. They also took the machines to another level with the release of Sega’s UFO Catcher series and Bandai Namco’s Clena series, both which are now ubiquitous in arcades across Japan.
9. Market value of prizes are capped at 1000 yen
With new prizes released almost every day, arcades in Japan frequently rotate prizes in a way no other country does. This means you could go to the same arcade every week and still find something new each time. Great for fun, not so great for the wallet.
But here is a very interesting piece of trivia. Under Japanese law, prizes are technically not allowed to be awarded from playing a game. While this would effectively render all crane games illegal, an exception is made for “small gifts.”
As what constitutes as a “small gift” is not clearly specified, the Japan Amusement Industry Association (JAIA), an organization that oversees amusement facilities, took it upon themselves to define this as items having a market value of 800 yen (later revised to 1000 yen).
But hang on, you say, many of the plushies and figurines in crane games are clearly worth more than 1000 yen? Like many Japanese laws, there is a loophole. The “market value” refers to the price at which the item would typically be sold in stores. However, many prizes are made exclusively for crane games, meaning they have no market value. As such, they are not bound by the 1000-yen rule.
What this means for us is that prizes that do have market value (i.e. popular snacks) will not be worth more than 1000 yen. So when playing for them, it is better not to spend too much.
It is also worth nothing that the rule only applies to arcades and amusement facilities affiliated with JAIA. Arcade corners in shopping malls or game shops, which are not classified as amusement facilities, are exempt.
10. Game arcades are not allowed to operate after midnight
In Japan, amusement arcades are governed under the same law that applies to gambling and other adult entertainment businesses. This means there are strict regulations on their operation. Game arcades cannot open past midnight, although in some special cases they can operate until 1 am.
If you see game corners operating into the early morning or 24 hours, there are exploiting another loophole. Under the entertainment business act, an establishment is only classified as an amusement facility if more than 10 percent of its floor space comprises of amusement equipment. If a large building with other facilities falls within this threshold, there are not bound by this rule.
Want more tips on the wonderful world of crane games in Japan? Check out the archives or my Youtube channel to watch me play.