Dagashiya Game Museum

Arcades are a thing of the past in most of the west but still quite alive in Japan, though mostly as modern facilities with digital games. But how did arcades look 50-100 years ago? In some places you can see for yourself. 

The Dagashiya Game Museum is exactly such a place, hidden away right next to a temple. It functions as a candy shop as well as a Showa-era arcade.  All machines work on either 10 yen coins or custom tokens, both of which can be exchanged at the counter. 

The games range from predecessors of the famous pachinko game, to skill-based ball balancing and coin flicking games. However, what might surprise a westerner used to a strong split between gambling and games for kids, is the sheer amount of roulette-like games that simply let you spin a wheel for a chance at some more coins. 

The winnings, if any, can be exchanged for various candies. Those who lose it all can still buy a treat afterwards.