Last updated: April 2026.

You're in a Lawson at 11 PM. Next to the register there's a poster showing a 20cm One Piece figure — gorgeous, exclusive, available nowhere else. Below it, a box of folded paper tickets at ¥750 each. You pay, draw a ticket, tear it open. The letter inside determines your prize. Every single ticket wins something — that's the rule. But what you get ranges from a premium figure worth ¥5,000+ to a rubber keychain worth ¥300.

That's ichiban kuji (一番くじ): Japan's guaranteed-win anime lottery. It's not gachapon (capsule machines). It's not a crane game. It's a structured prize draw with tiered rewards, a scoreboard showing what's left, and one legendary "Last One Prize" for whoever buys the final ticket.

Not the same as gachapon. Gachapon = coin-operated capsule machines, ¥200–500, completely random. Ichiban kuji = ticket-based lottery, ¥600–900, tiered prizes with a guaranteed Last One. We have a separate gachapon guide here.

At a Glance

What — Ticket-based lottery draw. Every ticket wins a prize.

Cost — ¥600–900 per ticket (~$4–6). Premium lines up to ¥2,000.

Where — Convenience stores (Lawson, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart), bookstores, hobby shops, Animate

Tickets per set — 60–80 typically

Prize tiers — A (best) through G+ (common), plus Last One Prize

Last One Prize — Special prize for whoever draws the final ticket. Extremely rare.

Hot series now — One Piece, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, SPY×FAMILY, Demon Slayer

Operator — BANDAI SPIRITS (formerly Banpresto)

Can you choose? — No. You draw blind. But you can check remaining prizes before buying.

Online version — Ichiban Kuji ONLINE (bpnavi.jp) — Japan only

How Ichiban Kuji Works (Step by Step)

Step 1: Find a kuji

Look for the poster. Convenience stores display ichiban kuji posters in windows or near the register. Hobby shops (Animate, Gamers, Toranoana) and bookstores also carry them. The poster shows every prize available in that series.

Pro tip: Check bpnavi.jp for the official schedule of upcoming kuji, or search "一番くじ" + your series name on X/Twitter.

Step 2: Check the scoreboard

Every kuji location has a scoreboard (景品ボード) — a poster showing all prizes with ticket stubs attached to won prizes. Always check this before buying. It tells you:

  • Which prizes are still available
  • How many tickets are left
  • Whether the A/B prizes are already gone
  • How close the Last One Prize is

If the A prize is already won and you only wanted the figure, save your money. If there are only 5 tickets left and the Last One Prize is still available — you might want to buy all 5.

Step 3: Tell the clerk how many tickets you want

Walk up to the register and say how many tickets you want. In Japanese: 「一番くじ、○枚お願いします」 (ichiban kuji, [number]-mai onegaishimasu).

There is usually no limit on how many tickets you can buy. You can buy 1, 5, or all remaining tickets if you want. Some stores set soft limits during the first day of release.

Step 4: Draw your tickets

The clerk hands you a box of folded paper tickets. Draw however many you paid for. You cannot look before choosing — the tickets are folded and sealed.

Step 5: Open and check your letter

Tear open each ticket. Inside you'll see a letter (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, etc.) that corresponds to a prize tier. Show it to the clerk, who will give you the matching prize.

Step 6: Scan the Double Chance QR code

Most tickets have a Double Chance (ダブルチャンス) QR code. Scan it to enter a secondary online drawing for a bonus exclusive prize. This is separate from the in-store lottery. Results are announced on the official site after the campaign period ends.

Prize Tiers Explained

A typical ichiban kuji set has 60–80 tickets distributed across prize tiers:

A Prize — 1–2 — Premium figure (15–20cm), large plushie — ¥3,000–8,000

B Prize — 1–2 — Second premium figure, cushion — ¥2,500–5,000

C Prize — 2–4 — Mid-size figure, art board — ¥1,500–3,000

D Prize — 3–5 — Small figure, mug, towel — ¥1,000–2,000

E Prize — 5–8 — Acrylic stand, glass, plate — ¥500–1,200

F Prize — 8–12 — Rubber keychain, clear file, stickers — ¥300–600

G Prize — 15–30 — Mini towel, coaster, random charm — ¥200–400

Last One Prize — 1 — Special version (different color/larger size of A prize) — ¥5,000–15,000+

Key point: Every ticket is a guaranteed win. There are no blanks. But the value difference between drawing an A prize figure and a G prize towel is enormous.

Last One Prize: This is the crown jewel. It goes to whoever draws the very last ticket in the entire set. It's usually a special color variant or oversized version of the A prize. On the secondhand market, Last One prizes regularly sell for ¥10,000–30,000+.

Where to Find Ichiban Kuji

Convenience Stores (most common)

Lawson — Largest selection. Often gets exclusive kuji series. Check near register.

7-Eleven — Good selection. Some exclusive collaborations.

FamilyMart — Solid selection. Sometimes has kuji near the entrance.

Convenience stores are the #1 kuji location. The selection rotates constantly — a new series launches somewhere almost every week. Popular series (One Piece, Dragon Ball) sell out within days at busy locations. Quieter suburban stores keep stock longer than Akihabara or Shibuya locations.

Hobby Shops & Bookstores

Animate — All locations carry kuji. Ikebukuro flagship has the widest selection.

Tsutaya — Bookstore chain. Good for less-competitive kuji hunting.

Gamers — Akihabara location good for gaming-IP kuji.

BOOKS Kinokuniya — Larger branches carry kuji, especially in Shinjuku.

Ichiban Kuji ONLINE

BANDAI SPIRITS operates an official online version at bpnavi.jp. You can draw digitally and have prizes shipped within Japan. Requires a Japanese address — international fans need a proxy service or forwarding address.

Strategy: How to Maximize Your Chances

1. Check the scoreboard first

If A and B prizes are gone and you don't care about lower tiers, walk away. If only 10 tickets remain and the Last One is still up, calculate: 10 × ¥750 = ¥7,500 guarantees you everything left plus the Last One.

2. Hunt early or hunt late

  • Early (launch day): Full prize pool. Best odds for A/B prizes but longest wait and most competition.
  • Late (last few tickets): Smaller pool. If you can see the scoreboard shows high-tier prizes remaining with few tickets left, your odds improve dramatically.

3. Visit suburban convenience stores

Stores in residential neighborhoods sell kuji slower than tourist areas. Series that sell out in hours at Akihabara Lawson might sit for days at a Lawson in Koenji or Kichijoji.

4. Use the Double Chance QR

Every ticket has one. Scan it. The online secondary draw costs nothing extra and sometimes offers prizes that aren't in the main pool. Many tourists skip this because the page is in Japanese — don't.

5. Set a budget

One ticket is ¥750. "Just one more" adds up. Set a number before you start. ¥3,000 (4 tickets) is a reasonable first-timer budget. You'll win 4 guaranteed prizes and get a feel for the mechanic.

Ichiban Kuji vs Gachapon vs Crane Games

Cost — ¥600–900/ticket — ¥200–500/turn — ¥100–200/play

Guaranteed win? — Yes, always — Yes, always — No — skill-based

Prize quality — High (figures, plushies) — Medium (small capsule toys) — High (prize figures)

Can you choose? — No — blind draw — No — random — Sort of — aim at what you want

Where — Convenience stores, hobby shops — Dedicated shops, stations, malls — Arcades, game centers

Best for — Collectors wanting exclusive figures — Souvenirs, casual fun — Skilled players, specific targets

BFM proxy available? — Yes — Yes — Limited

Other Kuji Types (Not Just Ichiban)

Ichiban kuji is the biggest, but Japan has several lottery systems:

  • Taito Kuji — Operated by Taito (arcade company). Found at Taito Station game centers. Similar mechanics, different prize lines.
  • Minna no Kuji (みんなのくじ) — By FuRyu. Available at convenience stores. Generally cheaper tickets (¥500–700).
  • Ani-Kuji (アニくじ) — By Animate. Found at Animate stores exclusively. Strong lineup for BL/otome series.
  • Coffret Kuji — Ichiban kuji sub-brand. Prizes are cosmetics and beauty items instead of figures.
  • Kuji Online — Various operators (Aitai Kuji, KUJIconnect) run online kuji for overseas fans. You buy tickets online, they draw for you, ship prizes internationally.

After You Leave Japan

You played kuji at a Lawson and got a G-prize towel when you wanted the A-prize figure. Or you never found the series you wanted. Or a new series drops the week after you fly home.

Option 1: Mercari Japan via proxy — Individual kuji prizes are heavily traded on Mercari. Use Buyee or ZenMarket to purchase specific prizes. A-prize figures typically sell for ¥3,000–8,000.

Option 2: Online kuji services — Sites like KUJIconnect and Aitai Kuji run ichiban kuji draws online with international shipping. You buy tickets, they draw for you on video, and ship your prizes.

Option 3: Buy For Me — Want a specific kuji prize without gambling? Our Buy For Me service can either play for you at stores in Tokyo (you tell us the series, we buy tickets) or source specific prizes from the secondary market. We handle purchasing, packaging, and international shipping.

→ Check available kuji series on Buy For Me

FAQ

How much does ichiban kuji cost?

Standard tickets: ¥600–900 each (~$4–6). Premium lines (Ichiban Kuji Premium, Figure Spirits): ¥1,000–2,000. Most common price: ¥750.

Is every ticket a winner?

Yes. Every single ticket in ichiban kuji guarantees a prize. There are no blanks. The question is which prize tier you draw.

What is the Last One Prize?

A special prize awarded to whoever draws the final ticket in the set. It's usually a premium version of the A prize — different color, larger size, or special edition. Last One prizes are the rarest items in the entire kuji system.

Can I buy all remaining tickets?

Usually yes. Most stores don't limit purchases. If 15 tickets remain, you can buy all 15 — which guarantees you everything left, including the Last One Prize. The math: 15 × ¥750 = ¥11,250 for all remaining prizes + Last One.

Where should I look for kuji in Tokyo?

Start at Lawson (largest selection). Check Animate Ikebukuro for hobby-shop-exclusive series. For less competition, try convenience stores in residential neighborhoods away from tourist areas.

How do I know what prizes are left?

Check the scoreboard (景品ボード) at the store. It shows all prizes with ticket stubs marking which ones have been won. If no scoreboard is visible, ask the clerk: 「残りの景品を見せてもらえますか？」 (nokori no keihin wo misete moraemasu ka?)

Can I play ichiban kuji from overseas?

Not directly at Japanese stores. Options: (1) Ichiban Kuji ONLINE at bpnavi.jp requires a Japanese address (use a proxy). (2) Third-party online kuji services like KUJIconnect and Aitai Kuji operate for international fans. (3) Buy For Me can play at stores in Tokyo on your behalf.

What's the difference between ichiban kuji and gachapon?

Ichiban kuji = ticket lottery at stores, ¥600–900, tiered prizes with Last One. Gachapon = capsule machines, ¥200–500, all prizes equal. Full gachapon guide here.

Follow @animeyokocho for weekly updates on new ichiban kuji series dropping in Tokyo.