We visit one of the largest arcades in the region, where you can spend as much time as you like. If you are a fan of Japanese pop culture, you will rediscover many well-known games in their arcade version – but also come across completely new, sometimes quirky titles such as a train driver simulator. Whether alone or with friends: You can try your hand at countless slot machines. A real insider tip for groups of friends are the Purikura photo boxes, which work like an interactive game. Together, you choose poses, backgrounds and decorations – and in the end, a unique souvenir photo is created that is guaranteed to make you laugh!
Important note: ENJ expressly distances itself from gambling in the form of pachinko.
The arcades we describe – i.e. arcades or game centers – are fundamentally different from pachinko, which is widespread in Japan. While arcades focus on communal gaming fun, skill and entertainment, pachinko is a form of gambling that cleverly circumvents the legal ban on direct winnings.
Gambling and casinos with direct cash wagers are heavily regulated by law in Japan and are generally prohibited. Pachinko uses a loophole: players collect small metal balls that they can exchange for money at separate “prize stations” outside the arcade. Although there is no direct cash prize involved, it is de facto gambling. Pachinko is not only highly addictive, but also involves a considerable risk of over-indebtedness – the probability of long-term losses is significantly higher than the prospect of winning.
Arcades, on the other hand, are a social pastime: they are all about having fun, sharing experiences with friends, engaging in friendly competition or chasing personal high scores on music, dance or skill machines. ENJ exclusively supports such forms of leisure activities and clearly distances itself from all forms of gambling.
