REISEFÜHRER The Ultimate Guide to Game Centers in Japan Everything you need for an authentic Japanese arcade experience

For many travelers, Japan is a land of calming Zen temples, gourmet restaurants, and refined tea ceremonies. Yet behind this serene image lies another side to Japanese culture—one that rarely makes it into tourist guides but is just as integral to the country's urban tapestry: Japanese arcades. Here's how to make the most of a visit to one of them:

Game centers grew in popularity throughout Japan during the 1970s global video game boom. Unlike in many other countries, where this type of entertainment eventually faded, Japanese arcades developed into cultural hubs. They adapted over the decades, expanding from pixelated classics to include rhythm games, claw machines, and high-tech themed photo booths. This ongoing evolution has allowed game centers to endure, making them a lasting symbol of Japanese pop culture.

Today, in Tokyo's Akihabara or Osaka's Umeda, the bigger game centers often organize their attractions by floor. One level may feature nothing but claw machines, while another is dedicated entirely to interactive card games, retro fighting titles, or even train simulators. This diversified layout has helped Japanese game centers remain relevant, appealing to kids, couples, and seasoned gamers alike.

Nowadays, the ground floor of many arcades is dominated by “gacha” toy vending machines where you never know which exact toy you're going to get, and the incredibly popular claw games. Crane games have largely remained popular largely because of the quality of the prizes. In Japanese claw games, you can find nearly everything, from plush toys of all sizes to arcade-exclusive merchandise from major anime franchises, electronics, or even food items such as dry snacks, boil-in-the-bag curries, and ice cream.

In Japan crane games are often called “UFO CATCHER®”—because of the modern grabbing mechanism resembling an alien spaceship, so don't be surprised when you see that name in game centers.

Rhythm games also tend to occupy a significant proportion of a game center's floor space. One of the most popular ones is “Taiko no Tatsujin,” where players drum along to the beat of songs ranging from J-pop to anime soundtracks, classical music, and arcade originals. To commemorate your time here, don't forget to stop by a “Purikura®” photo booth that goes beyond simply taking your picture. With a stylus in hand, you can customize your photos, adding graphics and special effects to snapshots that are printed on the spot, creating one-of-a-kind souvenirs.

In the case of crane games, you should of course never shake or hit the machine. Instead, if you're having trouble getting your prize, ask the staff to reposition it—this is standard practice throughout Japan. However, please note that for rare or particularly popular claw prizes, there may be an additional rule of one prize per customer.

It is also uncommon to win a prize in a single attempt (though luck does shine on us all from time to time!) Machines are designed to require a couple of well-placed attempts to gradually move the prize closer to falling into your hands.

Just be mindful of these points and everyone can have a whole lot of fun for only a couple of hundred yen!

Game Center Etiquette Guide

※UFO CATCHER® is a registered trademark of SEGA CORPORATION.
※Print Club® and Purikura® are registered trademarks of SEGA CORPORATION.