prizes
Beginning on Friday, May 22, 7-Eleven stores across Japan will finally team up with the wildly popular Attack on Titan franchise to bring you a special lottery with all sorts of winnable prizes! Be sure to check out the details as well as an amusing new promotional video after the jump.
“Oh shoot, I’m out of dish soap, let’s go to the game center.” If this sentence seems incongruous, you clearly have not spent enough time in Japanese game centers. Sure game centers have good old fashion arcade games, air hockey and photo booths, but a lot of the space is taken up by UFO catchers (adorably pronounced, oo-fo in Japan), aka claw/crane games.
Usually, UFO catchers are filled with cute toys or cool figurines, but sometimes things get a little too practical. Other times, the prizes are just a bit… off. Twitter users across Japan have shared their strange finds with us before, but they just keep coming and they keep getting weirder.
Beginning on December 20, residents of Japan can participate in a special Pokémon-themed lottery campaign at participating stores throughout the country. Although the event is officially targeting young adult women, we don’t see how anyone could resist the cute goods that are just waiting to be snatched up!
What was that famous saying again? Oh yeah–“Gotta catch ’em all!”
Japanese UFO catchers give the best prizes – if you’re talented or lucky enough to grab them. (Personally, I think it’s all about luck because after many hours and probably hundreds of yen down the drain, I’m still not any better at winning.) But the euphoria of a win is usually quickly forgotten, and you’re left with one more piece of tat to cram into your room. So what about if UFO catchers actually dished out useful goodies? Wouldn’t that be a real win-win situation?!





China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning seems to be affecting Osaka’s Namba and Dotonbori neighborhoods
You’d never guess this strange bubble house village is located in Japan
Kodansha’s K Manga app launches with 60 English simupubs among 400 titles
Maximum matcha! Tokyo sweet shop sells the strongest green tea chocolates physically possible
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
Relax with Pokémon in the new GU x Pokémon Peaceful Place clothing collection
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The End
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Studio Ghibli adds new Kiki’s Delivery Service music box to its anime merchandise shop in Japan
Is Kyoto less crowded with tourists after China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning?【Photos】
Relax with Pokémon in the new GU x Pokémon Peaceful Place clothing collection
Getting a driver’s license in Japan the hard way: The End
Honda’s real-life Koraidon to run for the first time at Suzuka 8 Hours final
Nintendo releases Metroid-shaped ice cube/cooking tray and Samus arm cannon pillow【Pics】
We Attempt to Eat the “Ramen That’s too Disgusting to Eat”
Braving a Japanese national fireworks competition with 10x more people than the city population
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families