On a quest to unearth the most unusual places in Saitama, I was in the middle of scouring the internet when I stumbled upon information that piqued my interest. Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement, tucked away in Gyoda, Saitama, touts itself as Japan’s—no—the world’s best and largest mecca for crane game aficionados. As someone who has spent more than a few bills at a time on crane games, I couldn’t resist the siren call. I just had to check it out for myself.
What is Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement?
Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement is a game center in Japan that specializes in UFO catchers or crane games. It has three branches in Saitama Prefecture—one in Gyoda City and one in Yashio City—and one in Tokyo’s Tama City which is scheduled to open in October of 2023.
The Gyoda Branch broke the Guinness World Record for the most number of crane game machines in 2012 and 2019, but in recent years, other game centers in Japan have surpassed this number. Everyday has 448 crane game machines at the time of writing, while Taito Station Fuchu Kururu Branch has 454. The Yashio branch is called the “Tokyo Honten” branch but is actually in Saitama. The Tama branch officially opens on October 21, 2023, and among its unique features are games that you can play at ¥5 each.
Why Visit Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement in Gyoda
- Impressive Size & Scale: With 400+ crane game machines, it’s one of the biggest crane game centers in all of Japan. You could practically spend an entire day here and still not conquer every machine!
- Curated Prize Selection: If you think crane games are all about teddy bears and trinkets, think again. Here, you can score everything from gigantic stuffed animals to ultra-rare curry packs, and even fresh, raw vegetables. It’s like a crane game bazaar!
- Budget and Beginner-Friendly Fun: Love crane games but hate burning a hole in your wallet? With games as cheap as ¥10 yen per play, and bundles like ¥100 for 8 plays, a section of the amusement center offers affordable and beginner-friendly entertainment. It’s the perfect spot to refine your crane game skills without breaking the bank.
My Experience
At first glance, the Gyoda branch of Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement is unmissable. The large bold letters call out to game enthusiasts, and the alien cartoon character invites people like me who find amusement in the absurd.
I came here with three other friends, and as soon as we entered the building, we quickly went to the photo spots to snap pictures. The photo spots have the mechanical claws of the crane games set to the height of your head, plus some props to make your photo as quirky as you like it.
Entering the main floor, we were greeted with all sorts of customers. Because it was a weekend, there were plenty of families with young kids. Many of the kids were on the ¥10 machines, the kind where cheap candies and snacks can be pushed out with some patience.
Going past the ¥10 machines, we got to the main area where there were rows and rows of crane games. The “easier” ones where ¥100 could get you 5 to 8 tries were placed near the entrance, but they usually had someone on them.
As for the regular types of machines, the prizes ranged from snacks to big stuffed toys and character goods. I spent a lot of money trying to get a huge cow stuffed toy, but alas, no luck.
Among the curious machines were ones that had fresh produce like mikan, onions and carrots. One of my friends tried his luck on a carrot. He got in on the first try, but the tip broke off once the claw dropped it. Buying one from a supermarket is cheaper, really, but we all got a good laugh from it.
The second floor had more novel machines like one where you control the claw by putting your hand under some kind of movement reader. It was pretty difficult to control. This floor also had a section for curry packs from different parts of Japan. There’s even a section to heat it up if you want to eat it right then and there.
Overall, the experience was fun for all of us. We each got our own prizes, but honestly, I found the difficulty to be on the harder end. The official website says you can consult with “crane game advisors” who are on standby, but I don’t think it would’ve made much difference. For someone who enjoys crane games like I do, it’s definitely worth getting out of Tokyo for.
How to Get to Everyday Gyoda Branch
Everyday UFO Catcher Amusement Gyoda Branch (エブリディ世界一UFOキャッチャー)
Weekdays: 10:00 to 23:00
Weekends: 12:00 to 23:00
Official Website
4-minute walk from Hinoeiriguchi Bus Stop
From the north exit of Fukiage Station, JR Takasaki Line, take the bus heading to Gyoda Orikaeshijo and get off at Hinoeiriguchi Bus Stop. From here, Everyday Gyoda Branch is 4 minutes away on foot.
