Pachinko has been an enduring part of the Japanese culture for over a hundred years. This game, which originated in Japan, is a form of mechanical pinball played on specially designed machines. It’s become a popular pastime that many people enjoy playing and watching.
The history of pachinko can be traced all the way back to the late 1800s when Yoichi Ueno invented the original version of pachinko called “Korinto Gakki” (Corinthian Bell). It was an electro-mechanical device consisting of three drums that were spun by crank handle. Players would drop small metal balls into one side and prizes would come out from the other. This game quickly gained popularity throughout Japan and was soon installed in many arcades and entertainment centers.
In 1927, a company called Daishouji Seisakusho created the first modern pachinko machine which looked very similar to today’s versions. This new machine had various pins that could be used to control where each ball went, allowing players to aim for certain targets on the playfield to win prizes or jackpots. From then on, pachinko machines have evolved with advances in technology, introducing exciting elements such as lights and sounds as well as more sophisticated playfields with multiple levels and goals.
Today, pachinko is still incredibly popular in Japan where almost every major city has at least one large pachinko parlor (called
