Introduction to Takarakuji,
the Traditional Japanese Lottery

For those who wish to experience Japanese culture—why not try your luck while you’re here?
The Japanese lottery, Takarakuji, enjoys widespread popularity, and tickets are issued by local governments. It is said to have originated roughly 400 years ago in the early Edo period, when Ryuanji Temple on Mt. Mino in Settsu Province (present-day Osaka Prefecture) offered protective amulets. Over time, it became more associated with money and became popular in town as an opportunity to win a jackpot. This caused the Tokugawa shogunate to eventually issue a general ban, but it allowed temples and shrines to continue selling tickets. These officially sanctioned lotteries were called “Gomentomi.”

(“Gomentomi,” officially sanctioned lotteries)

Following the ban imposed in 1842 during the Tenpo Reforms, the general sale of lottery tickets remained prohibited for 103 years. In October 1945, to curb severe postwar inflation, the government launched the First Government Lottery. Ever since, lotteries have inspired the dreams of countless people while also contributing to society by aiding in disaster recovery, urban development, and regional revitalization.

Japan’s Takarakuji lottery offers a wide range of thrilling options to match your dreams. The easiest to enjoy is called Scratch because you know instantly whether you’ve won by just scratching the ticket.

Contents

1. What is Scratch?

Scratch lottery tickets allow you to see instantly whether you’ve won simply by scratching. It’s a very easy and enjoyable way to try your luck.
The three main features of Scratch are:

  • 01

    You win if the symbols or patterns revealed by scratching match the winning combination, and you’ll know instantly.

  • 02

    First-place winnings range from 50,000 yen up to 100 million yen. A variety of ticket types are available, from those offering high prize amounts to those with more frequent wins.

  • 03

    Tickets come in four price categories—100 yen, 200 yen, 300 yen, and 500 yen—and are always available at any lottery ticket counter.

2. Types of Scratch tickets

There is a wide variety to choose from, including ONE PIECE Scratch tickets featuring a series of popular characters, Wannyan Scratch tickets decorated with adorable dogs and cats, and Ku-chan Scratch tickets starring Ku-chan, the lottery’s mascot.
In addition to being bigger, Large Scratch tickets also offer greater chances to win. This type is released several times a year.

  • ONE PIECE Scratch

    200 yen per ticket

    *Products may vary depending on the release period.

  • Wannyan Scratch

    100 to 200 yen per ticket

    *Products may vary depending on the release period.

  • Ku-chan Scratch

    100 to 200 yen per ticket

    *Products may vary depending on the release period.

  • Large Scratch

    300 to 500 yen per ticket

    *Products may vary depending on the release period.

3. How to play Scratch

There are many different types of Scratch games. The following explains how to play one of the most common types.

  • Tate, Yoko, Naname

    Scratch off all the red-framed squares. If three identical symbols line up in a row—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally—you win. The prize amount depends on the symbols that appear.

    Example of winning first place

  • Lucky Trial

    Scratch off all the red-framed squares. If the same symbol as the one shown in the Lucky Mark appears anywhere on the card, you win, and the prize is the amount written to the left of that symbol.

    Example of winning first place

  • Triple Match

    Scratch off all the red-framed squares. If three identical symbols appear in a horizontal row in any of the A, B, or C areas, you win, and the prize amount is determined by the symbol you matched.

    Example of winning first place

  • Lucky Target

    Scratch off the ★ mark, and if the same symbol appears in any of the frames around it, you win, and the prize amount is determined by the symbol that appears. Symbols other than the five listed in the instructions are not winning symbols.

    Example of winning first place

4. How to purchase Scratch tickets

To purchase a ticket, visit a lottery ticket counter and select the Scratch type that interests you from among those available. Lottery ticket counters can be identified by this mark.

5. How to receive winnings

Winnings of up to 100,000 yen (per ticket) can be received immediately at lottery ticket counters nationwide. To claim winnings in excess of 100,000 yen, please visit any convenient Mizuho Bank.

  • To claim winnings in excess
    of 100,000 yen (per ticket),
    please visit any Mizuho Bank.

  • To claim winnings up
    to 100,000 yen (per ticket),
    please visit a lottery ticket
    counter.

    Winnings up to 50,000 yen (per ticket) can be claimed at ticket counters displaying this sticker.
    Winnings up to 100,000 yen (per ticket) can be claimed at ticket counters displaying this sticker.

    *If there is no sticker (display) at the
    ticket counter, feel free to ask the sales staff.

It is necessary to present photo ID to claim winnings in excess of 500,000 yen (per ticket). Claiming winnings in excess of 1,000,000 yen requires photo ID and a personal seal (inkan). (If you do not have a personal seal, a signature will be accepted.) In addition, for winnings in excess of 1,000,000 yen, the winning ticket must be submitted at a Mizuho Bank. In such cases, due to processing procedures, it will take about one week to receive the prize money.

*Personal identification (any one of the following will be accepted)
● Passport
● Residence Card
● Driver’s License (foreign driver’s licenses are not accepted)

To claim winnings, you must present the lottery ticket within the designated payment period.
The payment period is one year from the payout start date. (For Scratch games, the payment deadline is printed on the ticket.)