Finding and Using Lawson Stores
Locating Loppi Machines
Every Lawson has exactly one Loppi machine, usually positioned near the entrance or magazine section. The machine is blue and white with "Loppi" written in large letters. If you can't find it, ask staff: "Loppi wa doko desu ka?" (Where is the Loppi?)
Some tourists confuse Loppi with ATMs. ATMs are typically silver/gray, while Loppi machines are distinctly blue with a large touchscreen.
Operating Hours and Availability
Lawson stores operate 24/7, but Loppi machines shut down for maintenance between 3:00-5:00 AM daily. I learned this the hard way when trying to grab last-minute tickets at 4 AM. Plan your reservations during regular hours.
Peak times (7-9 PM weekdays, weekends afternoon) mean longer queues. Go during off-peak hours when possible.
Step-by-Step Loppi Operation Guide
Getting Started
1. Touch the screen to wake up the machine
2. Select "チケット" (Ticket) from the main menu - it's the large blue button on the left
3. The screen changes to show different categories
Finding Anime Events
4. Look for "イベント" (Event) or "エンタメ" (Entertainment)
5. Select "アニメ・ゲーム" (Anime・Game) from the category list
6. You'll see a grid of current anime collaborations and cafes
For specific events, you can also:
- Use the search function (検索) and enter the L-code if you have it
- Browse by date (日程から探す)
- Look under "カフェ・レストラン" for anime cafe reservations
Making Reservations
7. Select your desired event/cafe
8. Choose your preferred date from the calendar
9. Select time slot (most anime cafes offer 90-minute slots)
10. Pick number of people (人数選択) - maximum varies by venue
11. Review the total cost
Common anime cafe prices:
- Character cafes: ¥3,500-¥5,500 per person
- Limited collaboration cafes: ¥4,000-¥6,000 per person
- Premium experiences: ¥7,000-¥10,000 per person
Payment Process
12. The machine prints a receipt with barcode
13. Take this receipt to the counter within 30 minutes
14. Pay in cash (most locations don't accept cards for Loppi transactions)
15. Receive your final tickets/reservation confirmation
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
Language Barriers
The biggest mistake is panicking at the Japanese interface. The machine follows the same pattern every time. Memorize these key words:
- チケット (Ticket)
- 予約 (Reservation)
- 日程 (Schedule/Date)
- 人数 (Number of people)
- 合計 (Total)
Timing Issues
Many tourists don't realize popular anime cafes sell out within hours of opening reservations. The Blue Lock cafe reservations will likely disappear in 2-3 hours when they go live. Set alarms and be ready exactly when reservations open.
Payment Confusion
You cannot pay directly at the Loppi machine. The machine only generates a payment slip. Always bring cash - while Lawson accepts cards for regular purchases, Loppi transactions are cash-only at most locations.
Wrong Ticket Types
Don't confuse regular movie tickets with special collaboration screenings. Detective Conan movie collaboration tickets cost ¥2,500-¥3,000 and include exclusive goods, while regular movie tickets are ¥1,900-¥2,100 without extras.
Specific Event Types and Pricing
Anime Collaboration Cafes
Most collaboration cafes require reservations through Loppi. Recent pricing patterns:
- Weekday lunch: ¥3,500-¥4,500
- Weekend/evening: ¥4,500-¥6,000
- Special menu items: ¥1,200-¥2,800 each
- Character goods sets: ¥2,000-¥4,000
Limited Merchandise Events
Some exclusive merchandise drops require Loppi reservations, especially for high-demand items. The upcoming SKZOO Bakery Charm release might use this system if demand is high.
Typical structure:
- Reservation fee: ¥500-¥1,000
- Merchandise cost: varies by item
- Time slot selection required for pickup
