Complete Guide to the Japanese Lottery | 2025

After spending a single day in one of Japan’s metropolitan centers, you are bound to encounter a lottery ticket window or a shiny storefront outside a train station.

But even for seasoned residents of Japan, the options can be intimidating. This article will tell you everything you need to know to get started. And maybe win a cool million or two?

Note: Prize amounts and ticket details can vary with each draw cycle and may be updated periodically. For the most accurate and current information, please refer to the official Takarakuji website or consult local lottery outlets.

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Where to Buy Tickets

Historically, it was necessary to purchase lottery tickets at dedicated lottery stands or through certain banks and convenience stores.

However, as of October 24, 2018, it is also possible to purchase lottery tickets via the official Takarakuji website. The website has not been translated into English, so this will only be a realistic option for those with Japanese skills.

Who Can Play?

Online

Lottery and scratch tickets can only be purchased online by registered residents of Japan who are at least 20 years of age, and purchases must be made from within the country. Tourists, business travelers, and other temporary visitors who lack residence cards (在留カード) are ineligible.

Similarly, Japan residents may not make purchases while abroad, even if only traveling temporarily.

In-Person

Any person who is legally present in Japan is eligible to purchase lottery and scratch tickets from designated lottery windows scattered throughout the country.

However, note that there can be delays in receiving large cash payouts, and it can be difficult to move large sums of cash across international borders. For example, when you take cash exceeding ¥1 million out of Japan, you are required to notify customs under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act. Other countries have similar notice requirements for importing large cash sums. It may also be difficult or impossible to wire a large sum to yourself back home. Moreover, large transactions may attract additional scrutiny or require paperwork. So although tourists are free to play the lottery, small games with ceilings under ¥1 million are the safest bet for those who lack residence status and a domestic bank account.

Game Types

In Japan, transacting in lottery tickets is generally prohibited, in line with the effective ban on gambling of any kind. However, the Lottery Ticket Act of 1948 (当せん金付証票法) grants certain government agencies the right to conduct lotteries to raise tax revenue for designated purposes. This is why, despite the general illegality of gambling, you will spot loads of lottery ticket windows attached to Mizuho Bank branches and lotto shops on busy street corners.

Although the Japanese lottery is often generically referred to as “takarakuji” (宝くじ), the authorities actually offer several different types of games, both seasonal and regularly scheduled, under the takarakuji umbrella:

• Raffles (Takarakuji):
  • National: Jumbo, Mini, Standard
  • Regional: Seasonal, Standard
• Lottery spins:
  • Numbers 4
  • Numbers 3
  • Kisekae Ku-chan
• Lottery ball draws
  • Loto 7
  • Loto 6
  • Mini Loto
• Bingo 5
• Scratch tickets
  • Physical tickets
  • Quick One online scratch tickets

Raffles (Takarakuji)

If you ask the average Japanese person whether they play the lottery (takarakuji), the national jumbo raffles will likely come to mind. However, the lottery games officially designated as “takarakuji” (宝くじ) in Japan are not, in fact, true lotteries. Instead, they are raffles. “Takara” (宝, たから) means “treasure” and “kuji” (籤, くじ) originally referred to drawing lots.

What is the difference? In a raffle, there is a fixed number of available tickets, and each ticket number is unique. If tickets do not sell out, some prizes may end up being out of play. But if they do, in theory, there is a guaranteed winner (barring a costly mistake like failing to claim one’s prize). And because each ticket is unique, there is no need to worry about prize sharing.

In contrast, true lotteries typically permit purchasers to select their own number combinations, and many do not pay out the top prize if the winning combination is not selected in the applicable round. Instead, the jackpot may roll over to the next cycle, roll down to one or more lower prize tiers, or simply be forfeited entirely. On the flip side, if multiple players hit the jackpot in the same round, lotteries often require prize-sharing, which can put a significant dent in those precious winnings.

There is a rolling cycle of raffles in Japan, with games offered at both the national level and the regional level.

National Raffles (Zenkoku Takarakuji): Jumbo and Mini

The national government holds five major raffles annually. Called “jumbo” draws (takarakuji jumbo, 宝くじジャンボ), these are the most popular lottery events in Japan, and many people play the lottery only by purchasing summer and/or year-end jumbo tickets.

• Valentine Jumbo (バレンタインジャンボ宝くじ) – early March, ¥200 million (~US$1.5 million)
• Dream Jumbo (ドリームジャンボ宝くじ) – mid-June, ¥300 million (~US$2.25 million)
• Summer Jumbo (サマージャンボ宝くじ) – mid-August, ¥500 million (~US$3.75 million)
• Halloween Jumbo (ハロウィンジャンボ宝くじ) – late October, ¥300 million (~US$2.25 million)
• Year-End Jumbo (年末ジャンボ宝くじ) – New Year’s Eve, ¥700 million (~US$5.25 million)

Advertising copy for the jumbo draws usually states a maximum prize that is higher than the top prize. This is because the prizes are structured so that the holders of the two tickets to either side of the jackpot ticket also win a substantial prize. Tickets can be purchased either randomly or in consecutive bundles, and many buyers opt for consecutive bundles so as to maximize the payout if they do win big. For example, the 2022 Year-End Jumbo offered a jackpot of ¥700 million and two second-place “zengo” (前後, literally “before and after”) prizes of ¥150 million each, so the advertising copy showed a total top prize of ¥1 billion (¥700 million + ¥150 million + ¥150 million), or approximately $7.5 million.

Each of the jumbo draws is held in parallel with a corresponding “Mini” version of the draw. The top prize in the mini draws is usually around ¥20 to ¥30 million (~US$150,000 to $225,000). The jumbo draws do not always offer the zengo prizes.

Jumbo and Mini tickets bear the same price (¥300 each), but fewer Mini tickets are sold and more top prizes are available, leaving Mini purchasers with better odds of hitting the jackpot.

National Raffles (Zenkoku Takarakuji): Standard

In addition to the popular Jumbo and Mini draw events, Japan’s national lottery also features Standard raffles (全国自治宝くじ).

Standard draws are held periodically between the major Jumbo events and offer a balanced prize pool. Tickets can be purchased for as little as ¥100 apiece and feature more moderate top prizes—often in the range of ¥10 million to ¥60 million—with improved odds due to a lower ticket print run.

Regional Raffles (Block Takarakuji)

Regional raffles mirror the national raffle in style, though prize pools and odds vary from region to region and cycle to cycle. As with the national raffles, special draws are offered on a seasonal basis, and regular draws are held throughout the year.

Regional raffles are offered in the following blocks and can only be purchased inside the applicable prefectures:

• Tokyo
• Kinki: Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama
• Kanto/Chubu/Tohoku: Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Akita, Yamagata, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Kanagawa, Niigata, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Yamanashi, Nagano, Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie
• Nishi-nihon (West Japan): Tottori, Shimane, Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tokushima, Kagawa, Ehime, Kochi, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, Okinawa

The lottery law authorizes prefectural governments, as well as 20 designated city governments, to sell raffle tickets. In case you’re curious, these cities are (roughly from north to south, east to west):

• Sapporo
• Sendai
• Saitama
• Chiba
• Kawasaki
• Yokohama
• Sagamihara
• Niigata
• Shizuoka
• Hamamatsu
• Nagoya
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Sakai
• Kobe
• Okayama
• Hiroshima
• Kitakyushu
• Fukuoka
• Kumamoto

Lottery Spins (Pick 3/4)

There are three types of “Pick 3” and “Pick 4” lotteries in Japan, all of which are held daily on weekdays outside of the New Year holiday period.

Numbers 4

Numbers 4 is a pick four game that requires you to select four digits, as well as the style of game that you wish to play.

• “Straight” (target ¥900,000): match all four numbers in the correct position
• “Box” (target ¥37,500): match all four numbers in any position
• “Set” (target ¥468,700 for Straight and ¥18,700 for Box): either a Straight or a Box match is a winner

Prize values fluctuate from day to day, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named.

Each play costs ¥200.

Numbers 3

Numbers 3 is a pick three game that requires you to select three digits, as well as the style of game that you wish to play.

• “Straight” (target ¥90,000): match all three numbers in the correct position
• “Box” (target ¥15,000): match all three numbers in any position
• “Set” (target ¥52,500 for Straight and ¥7,500 for Box): either a Straight or a Box match is a winner
• “Mini” (target ¥9,000): match the last two numbers in the correct position

Prize values fluctuate from day to day, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named.

Each play costs ¥200.

Kisekae Ku-chan (着せかえクーちゃん)

The Kisekae Ku-chan (literally “Dress Up Ku-chan”) game is a small-scale pick four game that requires you to select from five fruit patterns that Ku-chan, the cute whale mascot for the Takarakuji, will be dressed in: apple, grape, orange, peach, and melon.

Prizes are distributed as follows:

• First prize (target ¥10,500): match all four patterns in the correct position
• Second prize (target ¥500): match three of four patterns in the correct position
• Third prize (fixed at ¥100): match two of four patterns in the correct position

The values for first and second prize fluctuate from day to day, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named.

Each play costs ¥100.

Lottery Ball Draws (ロト)

Japan’s lottery ball draws resemble the classic Powerball-style lotteries found abroad.

Loto 7 (ロト7)

Loto 7 is a 37-ball draw held weekly on Fridays. Seven primary balls and two bonus balls are drawn, and players select seven numbers to play.

Prizes are distributed as follows, without regard to position (except for the distinction between primary and bonus balls):

• First prize (target ¥700 million): match all seven primary balls
• Second prize (target ¥6.1 million): match six primary balls and one bonus ball
• Third prize (target ¥500,000): match six primary balls
• Fourth prize (target ¥6,500): match five primary balls
• Fifth prize (target ¥1,400): match four primary balls
• Sixth prize (target ¥1,000): match three primary balls and one or two bonus balls

Prize values fluctuate from draw to draw, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named. Importantly, every time a drawing is held without a first prize winner, the excess prize money rolls over to the following drawing.

Each play costs ¥300.

Loto 6 (ロト6)

Loto 6 is a 43-ball draw held weekly on Mondays and Thursdays. Six primary balls and one bonus ball are drawn, and players select six numbers to play.

Prizes are distributed as follows, without regard to position (except for the distinction between primary and bonus balls):

• First prize (target ¥200 million): match all six primary balls
• Second prize (target ¥10 million): match five primary balls and one bonus ball
• Third prize (target ¥300,000): match five primary balls
• Fourth prize (target ¥6,800): match four primary balls
• Fifth prize (fixed ¥1,000): match three primary balls

The values for all but the one-line prize fluctuate from draw to draw, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named. Importantly, every time a drawing is held without a first prize winner, the excess prize money rolls over to the following drawing.

Each play costs ¥200.

Mini Loto (ミニロト)

Mini Loto is a 31-ball draw held weekly on Tuesdays. Five primary balls and one bonus ball are drawn, and players select five numbers to play.

Prizes are distributed as follows, without regard to position (except for the distinction between primary and bonus balls):

• First prize (target ¥10 million): match all five primary balls
• Second prize (target ¥150,000): match four primary balls and one bonus ball
• Third prize (target ¥10,000): match four primary balls
• Fourth prize (fixed ¥1,000): match three primary balls

Prize values fluctuate from draw to draw, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named.

Each play costs ¥200.

Bingo 5

The Bingo 5 game requires you to select eight numbers on a 3×3 grid with a free space in the middle.

Prizes are distributed based on the number of lines matched:

• Eight lines: target ¥5.55 million
• Six lines: target ¥300,000
• Five lines: target ¥45,000
• Four lines: target ¥18,200
• Three lines: target ¥2,500
• Two lines: target ¥700
• One line: ¥200 (fixed)

The values for all but the one-line prize fluctuate from game to game, depending on the total number of tickets sold and winners named.

Each play costs ¥200. The game is held every Wednesday outside of the New Year holiday period.

Scratch Tickets

Scratch tickets provide an instant win experience and are a favorite for players seeking quick thrills alongside the chance to pocket a prize. The Japanese lottery offers two distinct formats for scratch tickets: physical tickets and Quick One online scratch tickets.

Physical Tickets

Physical scratch tickets are widely available at lottery stands and Mizuho Bank branches throughout Japan, as well as at certain convenience stores and even train station ATMs. Much like scratch cards elsewhere, these tickets feature a latex-covered area that you rub off to reveal numbers or symbols.

Ticket prices generally range from ¥100 to ¥500, with each ticket clearly displaying its cost, odds, and potential prize tiers. The prizes can vary widely—from modest cash wins to larger, jackpot-level amounts. Each ticket’s printed information details the game rules, prize amounts, and odds, so you know exactly what you’re playing for before you start scratching.

Many physical scratch tickets are released as special editions, often tied to seasonal events or popular manga or anime series, adding extra excitement and collectible appeal. For instance, the current line of scratch tickets features the popular comic “One Piece.”

Quick One Online Scratch Tickets

For those who prefer digital play or like to keep things more discrete, Quick One online scratch tickets offer the same instant win excitement without the need to visit a physical outlet.

These online games are accessed via the official Takarakuji website and feature interactive experience with digital scratch cards that reveal your results immediately via engaging animations. Wins are automatically credited to your online account.

Available exclusively to registered residents of Japan, online scratch tickets eliminate the hassle of physically handling tickets while still offering transparent odds and prize details. Like their physical counterparts, these online games follow the same regulatory framework, ensuring fairness and security in every play.

Whether you opt for the tactile fun of a physical scratch ticket or the convenience of the Quick One online version, scratch tickets add a dynamic and accessible element to Japan’s diverse lottery offerings. If you’re nervous about navigating the raffles and draws, consider starting small with a scratch ticket or two. Though the game rules can be intricate, the friendly staff at the lottery windows would be more than happy to help you understand what to scratch and what you have won.

How to Check the Results and Claim Winnings

There are various ways to confirm the winning lottery numbers and see if you’ve had your lucky break. The method for claiming your winnings will depend on both where you purchased your tickets and the size of your prize.

Online

Your Official Takarakuji Account

The simplest way to check the lottery results is to wait until the day after the lottery is conducted and log into your online account. You can elect to either swipe through each ticket, one by one, or to skip to the end to see your total winnings.

The advantage of this method is that it requires no legwork on your part, and there is no chance of making a mistake or overlooking a lucky ticket.

There are two drawbacks, however. The first is that you must wait a day or two before your winnings are reflected in your online account, and from there you must wait another day or two after requesting your payout. The second is that you will not receive the results on the day of the drawing, which can be a letdown, especially for the exciting Jumbo Raffles.

Mizuho Bank Announcements

If you would like to know the results without waiting for your online account to update, or if you enjoy the excitement of comparing your own paper tickets to the winning numbers, you are in luck. Even online purchasers can view their ticket numbers before the online account reflects the results for a given drawing, and winning numbers are posted regularly on Mizuho Bank’s comprehensive lottery website.

So go ahead and embrace the excitement of the lottery by checking your results by hand, and then take your paper tickets to the lottery window just to be sure you didn’t miss anything!

In-Person

The most important thing to remember about paper tickets is that they have strict payment deadlines that are printed directly on the ticket. In general, lottery prizes must be claimed within one year from the day following the draw date, and scratch tickets may have somewhat shorter timeframes. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited, so it’s essential to check your tickets promptly and claim any winnings while you can. Don’t be that person who wins big but forgets to cash in on their prize!

If you bought a handful of tickets and are unsure if one of them is a winner, don’t hesitate to take your stack straight to the nearest lottery stand!

Each lottery stand is equipped with a rapid ticket processing machine that will identify your winners and tally up your winnings. It can be great fun to watch the number tick up and wait in eager anticipation for a major win.

After all your tickets are counted, the attendant will return any losing tickets and pay out your total winnings (up to ¥10,000 per ticket) in cold, hard cash.

See “Keep Your Losing Tickets!” below.

But what if you were lucky enough to win bigger? Certain lottery ticket windows will allow you to cash in tickets worth up to ¥50,000 or ¥100,000. Just look for the ¥50,000 symbol (5万円マーク) or ¥100,000 symbol (10万円マーク), respectively!

Can’t find such a lottery window, or won an even bigger prize? You can claim your winnings in person at most Mizuho Bank branches. For tickets with prizes exceeding ¥100,000, you will be required to provide your name and address when you receive your cash earnings, and you will be asked to show ID if the the winnings from any ticket are ¥500,000 or more.

And if you hit a jackpot exceeding ¥1 million, you will also need to bring your inkan stamp. Payment will take approximately one week to process, so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time.

Keep Your Losing Tickets!

Although dud tickets are quite the bummer, resist the temptation to shred your losing tickets or toss them into the wind!

September 2nd is “Lottery Day” (宝くじの日), and an annual second-chance raffle (“Otanoshimi Chusen,” or お楽しみ抽せん) with fun consolation prizes for holders of losing raffle and scratch tickets over the preceding one-year period sees some of these losers converted into winners. The date was chosen as a play on the similarities between the pronunciation of “Kuji” and the digits 9 (“ku”) and 2 (“ji” in reference to being “second” or “next”). The purpose of the event is, in part, to prevent winning tickets from going unredeemed.

There is a special six-digit number printed on each lottery and scratch ticket that is used exclusively for this second-chance raffle. A four-digit winning number is announced, and every ticket whose last four digits match this number is a winner.

If you are lucky enough to win, follow the instructions in the winning number announcement and mail your winning tickets along with the other required information. The postmark deadline for 2024 was October 31, so mark your calendar to check your dusty old tickets on Lottery Day!

In 2024, winners could choose among five fun prizes:

A. Two 1-kg bags of brand name rice
B. A set of three Imabari face towels
C. A professional frying pan from Enjuku no Waza (燕熟の技)
D. A double-walled stainless steel tumbler from Soh (颯)
E. 2,000 Takarakuji points

Unfortunately, Lottery Spins (Pick 3/4), Lottery Ball Draws, and Bingo 5 are not eligible for this second-chance raffle.

Taxation

Winners of the Japanese lottery games are not taxed on their prize money under Japanese law.

However, if you hold citizenship or tax residency abroad, be sure to check for any liability under local law before claiming (let alone blowing!) your winnings.

Your Turn

Do you play the lottery in Japan? Ever won big? If so, let us know in the comments. Also, please drop a line if there’s anything else you think we should cover!