Lawson installs crane games in over 1,000 stores due to popularity with tourists
Japanese convenience store chain Lawson has announced that it has achieved its goal of installing crane games in 1,000 of its stores, with the number of participating locations now exceeding 1,100.
The initiative is part of a growing trend that blends the worlds of Japanese arcades and the ubiquitous “konbini,” in a partnership with the amusement facility operator, Taito.
The project first began on a small scale in October of 2022, after the owner of a Lawson in Kyoto suggested finding a way to provide more of an “experiential value” for customers.
Following a successful trial, the full-scale, nationwide rollout of the crane games began in the spring of 2024.
The company’s goal was to bring the machines to 1,000 stores by the end of the 2025 fiscal year, a target it has now surpassed well ahead of schedule.
The initiative is designed to utilize small, empty spaces within the stores to offer a new form of “street-corner entertainment.”
The machines have proven to be a major success, with sales reportedly running 50 percent higher than the initial target.
Their popularity is attributed to the affordable price of ¥100 per play and the appeal of winning prizes, such as character plushies and other goods, that are not normally sold in convenience stores.
The machines have also been a significant hit with international tourists, particularly in stores located in popular sightseeing areas.
Lawson has stated that it has seen an increase in customers who visit the store specifically to play the crane game, who then also purchase other items during their visit.
Following this success, the company plans to continue expanding the number of stores with crane games.
It is also now considering the development of exclusive, Lawson-original prizes that would only be available to be won from the in-store machines.
As of the 8th of August, 2025, a total of 1,109 Lawson stores across Japan were equipped with the Taito crane game machines.
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