Mar 07, 2025 12:00:00

'Guide to how to play at Japanese arcades' for foreign tourists is released and becomes a hot topic overseas

In Japan, not only in urban areas but also in rural areas, large shopping malls are almost always equipped with game centers, and they are lined with arcade games that everyone has played at least once, such as crane games and photo booths. Japanese game manufacturer Sega has released a website called ' Japanese Game Centers Guide ' to teach foreign tourists how to play at Japanese game centers.

Arcade Game Lineup｜Let's Hit the Arcade! - Japanese Game Centers Guide

https://gamecenter-guide.sega.com/

How to go to a Japanese arcade without looking like a tourist | Polygon
https://www.polygon.com/news/535117/japan-arcade-guide-game-center-faq

Japanese Game Centers Guide is a website that provides foreign tourists with instruction on how to enjoy Japanese game centers.

The three topics available are: '

What are Japanese game centers like? ', ' The types of arcade games you can play ' and ' Etiquette at Japanese game centers .'

The 'Types of Arcade Games You Can Play' section introduces how to play six genres of arcade games: medal games, photo stickers, video games, crane games, music games, and racing games. For example, in the case of crane games , there is information about the prizes you can get in the crane games, and there is also a section that seriously explains the basic operation method: 'Step 1: Insert a coin, Step 2: Press the button to move the crane to the side, Step 3: Press the button again to move the crane to the back, Step 4: Release the button to lower the crane.'

The '

Etiquette at Japanese Game Centers ' section introduces etiquette such as 'Avoid violent behavior,' 'Be considerate when taking photos and videos,' 'Be careful not to drink alcohol or smoke,' and 'Avoid playing multiple games in succession .'

Although it is a website that honestly explains things that are obvious to Japanese people, overseas game media Polygon wrote, 'Visiting Japan and not stopping by a game center is like visiting Rome and not eating pasta. Unlike in the United States, where arcade games peaked with the scene in the movie 'Terminator 2' where an adult man hits a boy in 'Salute Your Shorts,' game centers are still popular hangouts in major Japanese cities. In the decades since game center culture declined in the United States, arcade games have changed dramatically in Japan, and some tourists may be confused by the mountains of unfamiliar games and crane games,' emphasizing the usefulness of the Japanese Game Centers Guide.

Polygon editor-in-chief Chris Plant also wrote, 'There are many tips I wish I had known before going to a Japanese arcade for the first time. For example, if you want to take photos or shoot videos, ask the arcade staff for permission first. Also, if you're having trouble winning a prize in a crane game, tell the staff and they may adjust the position of the prize to make it easier to win.' He points out that the book contains several useful tips for foreign tourists who are unfamiliar with arcade culture.