Pachinko beginner's guide

Welcome to Japan!

With the increase in tourism, it has become common to see many foreign tourists in Pachinko establishments.

Here, we present an 'Introduction to Pachinko for Beginners,' aimed at tourists. This guide explains how to play 'Pachinko and Pachislot,' which are part of Japanese culture, and highlights important points to note.

Please read these instructions. We hope you enjoy experiencing a part of Japanese entertainment culture!

【What is Pachinko establishment?】

Pachinko is an entertainment facility with two types of gaming machines: "Pachinko" and "Pachislot"（slot machine）

Players can rent balls (for Pachinko) and medals (for Pachislot) within the establishment. Any balls or medals won can be redeemed for various prizes.

You can even find machines featuring popular anime, making these games a well-known pastime in Japan.

※Warning: By law, anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from entering Pachinko establishments.

When you enter the Pachinko establishment, the first thing to do is pick out the Pachinko machine you want to play and the rate of play.

※Pachinko establishments often have signs saying 'PACHINCO & PACHISLOT (SLOT).'

There are various types of pachinko machines with different jackpot probabilities, but for first-time players, the "Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL" and other machines from the "Sea Story " series are recommended as they are simple and easy to understand.

● About the betting rates for Pachinko.

There are mainly two rate types: "4yen pachinko" and "1yen pachinko". These differ in standard rates each pachinko ball.

・4 yen pachinko means each ball costs 4 yen to rent

・1yen pachinko means each ball costs 1 yen to rent

means you can play 1yen pachinko with a smaller amount of money. Some pachinko also have other rates, like 0.5yen pachinko.

However, most pachinko primarily feature 4yen pachinko, so the newest machines might only be available in the 4yen pachinko section.

To begin playing, select a pachinko machine, sit down, and rent pachinko balls.

Make sure the machine is actually free!

Even if a seat is empty, the player might be temporarily away (e.g., restroom, smoke break). If there are personal belongings like water bottles or items in the tray (even without balls), someone is still playing. Please do not sit at these machines.

Also, look for a 'reserved' sign, which might be hanging on the lever. Always check if the machine is available before sitting down.

● How to get balls

Just to the left of the machine, there's a medal dispenser called a 'sand.' Insert your bill here.

You can only rent balls with cash bills, so ensure you have some with you.

To play pachinko, first insert a bill into the indicated machine. The remaining credit will appear on the digital display of the upper tray. Next, press the "球貸" = "ball rental" button. On a 4yen pachinko machine, this will dispense 125 pachinko balls (equivalent to 500 yen) into the upper tray.

Don't take the borrowed balls and medals home!

The pachinko balls and medals are 'rented' and belong to the Pachinko establishment. Taking them home could lead to theft charges. Exchange any leftover medals for prizes.

We'll use 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL' as an example to explain how to play pachinko.

First, let's learn the names and functions of the machine's parts.

● Names and Roles of Each Part

① Ball Rental Button

The button to rent pachinko balls for playing.

② Upper Tray / Lower Tray

The place where rented pachinko balls and balls won from jackpots, etc., come out.

③ Handle

Turning it to the right launches the pachinko balls, and the further you turn it to the right, the stronger they are launched.

④ Start Chucker

The entry point where the jackpot lottery begins is when a pachinko ball enters.

⑤ LCD Screen

Displays the results of the lottery. If the symbols line up, it's a jackpot. Various animations and effects occur here.

⑥ Attacker

When you hit a jackpot, the attacker opens, and you can win payouts by getting pachinko balls into it.

⑦ Refund Button

The button to retrieve the remaining balance.

● How to Play 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL'

① How to Play During Normal Mode

1: Turn the pachinko machine handle to the right, approximately ⅓ one-third of its full range of motion.

This is generally all you need to do in the normal mode for most machines, not just 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL'

Turning the handle launches pachinko balls. If a ball enters the start chucker, the jackpot lottery is initiated.

To increase the likelihood of balls entering the start chucker, aim for the lower portion of the playfield (closer to you than the center). Turning the handle approximately ⅓ one-third of the way is a recommended technique, as random shooting makes it harder for the balls to reach the start chucker.

As soon as a pachinko ball enters the start chucker, the animation begins. If the same symbols line up in the end, it's a jackpot.

If the same symbols line up vertically or diagonally, it's a jackpot!

In the case of the 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL' series, if a school of fish appears after a reach, it’s a big chance! So, let's look forward to the appearance of the school of fish!

A school of fish appearing means a big chance!

② How to Play During a Jackpot

After the symbols line up, you'll enter the jackpot round, which is a period where the "attacker opens and you can win payouts by getting balls into it" During this time, just keep turning the handle about ⅓ one-third of the way to the right.

※if you don't launch balls during the jackpot, you might not receive the full payout you're supposed to get, so be careful.

Also, during payout phases like a jackpot, pachinko balls will also come out into the lower tray. Once it's full, pull the lever near the lower tray to move the balls into the collection box.

If there isn't a collection box, there will be a counting machine near the lower tray. Pull the lever on the lower tray to feed the pachinko balls into the counter, and the payout will be displayed on the Sand unit.

Don't quit immediately after a jackpot!

After a jackpot on 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL', features like "確変" (Kakuhen - Probability Variation) and "時短" (Jitan - Time Reduction) are activated. "確変" not only increases the probability of another jackpot, but also allows you to aim for the next jackpot without decreasing your winnings.

"時短" (pronounced jitan) allows you to go through a specific number of rotations without losing your winnings, but the jackpot probability returns to the normal rate.

In 'Big Sea Story 5 SPECIAL', if the color of the ocean turns purple, it means "Kakuhen" (Probability Variation), and if it's green, it means "Jitan" (Time Reduction). During these times, make sure not to quit!

If the sea is purple, it means you are
in "Kakuhen" (Probability Variation mode).

If the sea is green, it means you are
in "時短中" (Jitan - Time Reduction mode).

Some machines require "right-hand play" during jackpots!

In "Ocean Story 5," it's fine to turn the handle about one-third of the way during regular play or jackpot rounds, but some machines require "right-hand shooting" during jackpots, special modes, or time reductions.

*Right-hand shooting = Turning the handle all the way to the right*

Lately, many machines require right-hand shooting during jackpot rounds, so if "Right-hand shooting" ＝ "右打ち" in Japanese appears on the screen, turn the handle fully to the right.

Important Notes When Playing

Giving your own pachinko balls or medals to friends or family to play with may be prohibited by some pachinko establishment.

Since the rules differ at each Pachinko, be sure to check with the staff if you're unsure.

Also, "playing multiple machines simultaneously by one person" is prohibited at all Pachinko, so definitely don't do it!

Here's what to do when you want to stop:

1: If there are any pachinko balls left in the upper or lower trays, transfer them to the prize box.

2: Press the “Call” button on the data lamp above the machine to call a staff member.

 "呼出" = "call"

When you inform the staff that you’re done playing, they will carry your prize box to the counter and count your balls. You will receive a receipt (or card) showing the number of balls you’ve won, marking the end of your session.

If there is any remaining balance on your card, press the “Return” button on the upper tray to retrieve the card with the remaining funds. Don’t forget to take it.

*If your machine has a built-in counter, insert all pachinko balls into the counter and press the "返却" = “Return” button to receive both your remaining balance and your winnings.*

If you finish with no remaining balls or balance, be sure to check for any forgotten items before leaving.

After the balls are counted, hand the receipt (or card) to the staff at the prize counter to exchange them for prizes.

The number of balls or medals required to exchange for each prize is indicated based on the rate, but if you're unsure, it's best to ask a nearby staff member.

Don't forget to cash out any remaining balance!

If you have any remaining balance, it can only be cashed out on the same day. From the next day onward, you can still use the balance to borrow pachinko balls or medals, but you will no longer be able to cash it out — so be careful!

※You can only use the remaining balance at the same pachinko establishment.

Since there's a payout machine inside the shop, make sure to cash out any card with a remaining balance before you leave.

This concludes the Pachinko beginner's guide.

Pachinko and Pachislot in Japan!

Click here for the "Pachislot beginner's guide"!