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Most places I see do not allow under 18 play.
Under Japanese law one is considered a minor until 20, however from 18-20 is a grey area of sorts in Japan. Because like in the US, there are some things you can do at 18 and other things you can’t do until 21.
Comment by TokyoE — March 1, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
I used to work at one of those pachinko parlors, and we do not allow persons of 18 or under. And I am sure this is pretty much the same every where. We were trained to ask the suspicious ones to verify their age.
I guess you found somewhat of confusing results because we do not ask the customers to show their IDs when they enter. (Unlike the american casinos)
So, how would they know if you are older than 18? I guess they wouldn’t, if you don’t look 18 or younger…..
And we don’t go around asking their age in those pachinko parlors either…. so that’s your grey area.
Comment by angeldust — March 3, 2009 @ 8:42 pm
I agree with angledust on this one. Pachi employees don’t make a practise of asking for IDs so it’s going to be case by case. I think a lot of under 18 Japanese would think of pachinko as “dasai” in any case, so it’s not a big issue. Uni students go to the pachi, but often that’s because they have the leisure to go on shindai day when it’s said to be easy to win.
Comment by michinoku2001 — March 4, 2009 @ 12:45 am
It has to depend on where you go. Like the one I went before in Fukuoka, whoever can play it as long as it is still early. It would be better if parent is there. It is prohibited to underage people only after 5pm.
Comment by Naixius L — March 5, 2009 @ 3:46 pm
Hi, I apologize for being off-topic but I am looking to contact a pachinko player in the Tokyo area for a news article I am writing about the game. I am a gaijin journalist in Tokyo and would like to interview someone who plays pachinko often. We would need to meet at a pachinko parlor and I *need to use your name* in the article. If you can help, please e-mail me at:
terjel71-pachinko@yahoo.com
Nihongo daijobu. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Terry
Comment by Terje Langeland — March 8, 2009 @ 10:25 pm