Pachinko: The Pinball Craze in Japan

If I did not get sick in Japan, I would have tried this Pachinko game, which is also called Pachislot and Pachislo.


Pachinko is a mechanical arcade game (read: pinball) that has taken the country by storm for decades already. It’s everywhere in Japan, even a friend of mine has gone crazy playing this game. She is addicted, she could not live without it. The goal is to get as many silver balls as you can, and these balls can then be exchanged for prizes.

Dutchman however managed to get out during the day and came back with this video:



He is a bit like me, always observing and very inquisitive, and naturally he quickly noticed, among many other fascinating stuff and goings-on in Akibahara, the noisy pachinko parlours.

‘The noise inside this game arcade is deafening!’ Dutchman told me.

Gambling is illegal in Japan, however, Pachinko is given some sort of immunity and is classified as an amusement activity. I read that the balls and prizes can be exchanged for cash at nearby exchange centres. Some pachinko parlours even trademarked their balls so gamers could not exchange them at other places. It is a big industry, and one can earn big money here, if you are good.

When I am back in Japan, I will definitely try this, and find out for myself what the craze is all about.


Travel Period: November 2014
Destination: Akibahara (Chiyoda - Tokyo), Japan

Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
Location: Akihabara, Taito, Tokyo, Japan

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