Pachinko is a popular game in Japan that has been around for centuries. It is a mechanical game that consists of a vertical board with small steel balls and pins. Players launch the balls into the board, hoping to land them in pockets for points or prizes. Pachinko is both an entertainment and gambling game, which has made it extremely popular in Japan where it can be found in almost every city.
The origin of pachinko dates back to the Edo period (1603-1868) of Japan. At this time, the game was known as ‘teetotum’ and was used as a form of gambling by merchants and samurai warriors alike. In the 1920s, the first mechanical pachinko machines were developed by an inventor named Masubuchi Shirokichi who created them out of wood and metal pieces. These early machines were called ‘Corinth’ machines, after their resemblance to ancient Greek chariots.
In 1948, Masubuchi’s son, Shozo, refined his father’s invention and changed its name to ‘pachinko’. He also modified it so that players could win prizes other than cash or tokens – like cigarettes or candy – instead of money bets being placed on each round of play. This modification allowed pachinko parlors to open across Japan without fear of breaking anti-gambling laws at the time.
Since then, pachinko has become an ingrained part of Japanese culture, with more than 12 million people playing it every year. While there are still traditional versions played in some places today such as Osaka Castle Park or Tokyo Tower, most players prefer modern variations available in large pachinko halls scattered throughout cities across Japan.
Pachinko remains one of the most beloved pastimes in Japan even today – both for its rich history as well as its addictive gameplay and potential rewards. Whether you’re visiting Tokyo or Osaka on vacation or looking for something interesting to do while living there permanently, Pachinko is definitely worth trying out at least once!
