Taito Station Fuchu Kururu - Tokyo's Massive Crane Game Paradise With Over 400 Machines!

The Birth of Crane Games in Japan

In Japan, crane games refer to machines that use a crane-like mechanism to grab and retrieve prizes. Typically, prizes are displayed inside a transparent case, and players manipulate the internal arm using levers and buttons to grasp one of the prizes and successfully drop it into the chute to claim it.

The prizes in crane games are called “keihin.” They are often exclusively designed and manufactured for crane games and other arcade attractions, and are rare in stores or on the open market. As the main way to acquire them is by winning crane games in arcades, much of their appeal lies in exclusivity.

The Japan Crane Game Association traces the origins of crane games to 19th century America, where the first similar machines were candy dispensers. The crane game revolution in Japan began around 1965 when Taito Trading Company (today's Taito Corporation) developed and launched the country's first domestic crane game machine, called the “Crown 602.” This pioneering effort paved the way for other manufacturers to enter the market with their own unique models. By the 1980s, crane games had become ubiquitous in Japanese arcades, cementing their place in the country's gaming culture.

Since then, crane games have maintained their popularity. The challenge and thrill of grabbing prizes, combined with the sense of achievement when successful, makes it hard to resist putting in another coin. Plus, the tantalizing lineup of prizes inside is often worth the cost of trying your luck.

Taito Station Fuchu Kururu: A Guinness World Record Holder

To gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of Japanese crane games, we visited Taito Station Fuchu Kururu, a crane game center in Fuchu City, western Tokyo, that boasts over 400 crane game machines. Upon opening in 2020, Taito Station Fuchu Kururu immediately claimed a Guinness World Record for having the most crane games in a single location worldwide (although it has since been overtaken), and is popular with YouTubers looking to film fun content.

We visited Taito Station on a Friday morning. Its convenient location was a breeze to reach, taking less than a minute on foot from the South Exit of Fuchu Station on the Keio Line. After reaching the Fuchu Kururu shopping center, we took an escalator down to the first basement floor, bringing us deep into the heart of Japan’s arcade gaming culture.

Despite being a weekday (and the rainy weather), customer traffic was steady, and crowds had already formed before the center even opened. Upon entering, we were instantly blown away at the scale, with the over 400 crane game machines spread out across a roughly 1,820 m² space. The colorful world before our eyes stirred a sense of anticipation, and we felt more than ready to start our gaming spree!

The Incredible Variety of Japanese Crane Games

For this article, we were kindly guided through Taito Station Fuchu Kururu by a staff member. The center is divided into different sections: candy, figurines, stuffed toys, appliances, miniatures, and “Sweetland,” which is designed for those less-skilled at crane games. The games are rotated at varying intervals, ensuring something new with each visit.

Along with unique themes, the crane games themselves bear different designs, like the number and size of the claws. Machines with two claws on the arm are called "two-claw" machines, while those with three are "three-claw" machines. However, they largely share the same basic controlsーplayers use levers or buttons to move the machine’s arm left, right, forward, or backward before stopping at the desired position. There are different recommended techniques for success depending on the type of game, such as grabbing, flicking, pushing, or pulling motions.

This game has a “bridging” mechanism, where the prize is placed between two parallel bars. To win, players must knock the prize down from the bars.

A Constant Influx of New and Elaborate Prizes

One of the most exciting aspects of crane games is undoubtedly the wide assortment of enticing prizes. In recent years, Japan has seen a shift in prizes catering to changing generations. While the classic stuffed toys are ever-popular, figurines and dolls based on popular anime, tie-ups from famous brands, limited-edition goods, home appliances, and even snack foods have become the norm. The evolution of prizes reflects current trends, promising a lineup of both appealing and sometimes oddball items!

According to staff, crane games with prizes from anime and manga are the biggest hit, and many fans of a particular series will visit just to collect gear of their favorite characters. Snacks and sweets are also popular, like the oversized version of the beloved snack Jagarico shown in the photo, which is an exclusive crane game prize.

Taito Station Fuchu Kururu also has crane games with snacks and other goods that can be played for just 10 yen. Rather than cash, these machines accept digital wallets such as IC cards used to ride the train in Japan.

For info on the latest prizes at Taito Station Fuchu Kururu, check out their website.

Can Beginners Enjoy Crane Games?

If you're a crane game novice like us, don't hesitate to ask the on-site staff for advice. While staff are often busy restocking and reorganizing prizes, a big part of their job is to ensure an enjoyable experience for customers.

If you're unsure how to operate a machine, if the crane arm frequently stops before reaching the prize, or if a prize gets stuck, you can scan the QR code on the machine's window. This will summon a staff member who can guide you through the process or adjust the prize's position. Moreover, if you're not keen on the look of the displayed prize, you can ask the staff to switch it to a different design before attempting to win it.

International tourists need not worry about language barriers at Taito Station Fuchu Kururu. The arcade frequently welcomes English and Chinese-speaking customers in particular, and many use smartphone translation apps to communicate with staff. The staff are used to serving customers from all over the world, so a lack of Japanese skills won’t hinder your enjoyment!

Points to Keep in Mind When Playing Crane Games

The staff at Taito Station shared with us some etiquette to remember when playing crane games in Japan. If you get really good, be aware that some machines limit the number of prizes you can win, often indicated on an attached sign. And if you’re on a losing streak, it's strictly prohibited to shake or hit the machine. Finally, while it’s okay to ask a staff member to swap around a prize before playing, you cannot request an exchange after winning.

You can pay for crane games with cash, digital wallets like IC cards, and electronic payments like QR codes. However, some machines have restrictions on certain payment methods. These are typically marked on the machine, so be sure to take a look.

The Never-Ending Appeal of Japanese Crane Games

Crane games are a significant part of Japan's gaming culture, attracting players not only with their prizes but also with the challenge they present. For those interested in experiencing this unique element of Japanese culture, there are several neighborhoods famous for game centers to visit. In Tokyo, we recommend Akihabara's Electric Town and Ikebukuro's Otome Road, or Nipponbashi in Osaka. Of course, we strongly suggest a trip to Taito Station Fuchu Kururu, which we visited for this article!