Pachinko 1 of...until I'm evicted

Posted by Duncan Galbraith (kyoto, Japan) on 2 January 2007 in Sport & Recreation and Portfolio.

Gambling is illegal in Japan with the odd excpetion such as on track betting at the horses and so on, I think cycling is also fair game if youre at a velodrome. But there're no casinos. They do however have Pachinko. It's not called gambling in the legal sense in that the players dont actually win any money...they purchase small metallic balls and proceed to put them into a kind of machine resembling a slot/pinball hybrid and play away, to win MORE balls. These balls are then 'sold' back to the establishment for money.
They're mighty twitchy about people roaming about with cameras, so I really cant imagine getting too much of a series out of this before they take me to a backroom and administer a world of hurt ;)

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Comments (20)

Daniel from Olympia, United States

Now if you could make an image that captures the god aweful noise of the Pachinko palors! Nice shot

2 Jan 2007 12:14am

@Daniel: If AM3 ever gets video, its the first thing I'll post ;)

AJK from Ottawa, Canada

I like the toque (warm wooly hat) contrasting with the "pinkiness" (i think that fits) of the interior.
I have a series of shots that I took surreptitiously just at the doors of a pachinko parlour in Kobe .... some patron must have broken the code somehow because a group of punch-permed goons were deliverin' him a whole world o' hurt as they unceremoniously dumped him out the door. Nobody around batted an eye - one of those weird events. I should try and dig up the photos (old-style) and put 'em up.
and btw - Happy New Year!!!

2 Jan 2007 1:02am

@AJK: Man, get those photos dug out mate, I'd love to see them!

Martin from Krems, Austria

As AJK already wrote, strong contrast between wool, textiles and plastic. Very interesting cultural phenomenon, portrayed really well.

2 Jan 2007 3:48am

@Martin: Thanks Martin! have a great 2007!

Still from Valence, France

A portrait of a player... This guy is very concentrated on his game. Fine shot!

2 Jan 2007 3:58am

@Still: Thanks Still!

Kheoh Yee Wei from pj, Malaysia

Interesting shot ! The game looks fun !

2 Jan 2007 5:50am

@Kheoh Yee Wei: Thanks! It would be fun if not for the incredible amount of noise these machines generate!

Chris Sullivan from Melbourne, Australia

Yeah back room 'Casino' style.

Caught up on your previous posts too, 'Pronto' is incredible. As always nice work Duncan!!

2 Jan 2007 6:22am

@Chris Sullivan: Thanks Chris! cheers for the catch up too! Missed you mate, welcome back!

Regis from Paris, France

Excellent shot. Pachinkos are such an institution in Japan ! It's cool to take this shot. I wouldn't have dared :)

2 Jan 2007 7:11am

@Regis: Things might get a wee bit more dangerous yet...AJ's comment might explain why...!

Makoto from Sapporo, Japan

Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu, Duncan-san. This is an interesting take and nice guidance.
Kotoshimo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

2 Jan 2007 7:13am

@Makoto: Hey Makoto! thanks man, much appreciated!

micki from United States

Well don't put yourself at risk to grab any more images, but this is a very cool shot and so interesting to read about.

2 Jan 2007 8:39am

@micki: Hey Micki, not to worry, im a fast runner ;)

Damon Schreiber from Toronto, Canada

Ok, subways are one thing, but I can't imagine trying this in a Pachinko parlour. I'd be more than a little concerned about the afore-mentioned punch-permed goons. I'm glad you did, though for the glimpse into this odd world. I've never gotten past the front doors as the cigarette smoke even outside makes me feel like a fumigated cockroach.

2 Jan 2007 9:40am

@Damon Schreiber: Hey Damon, the goons thankfully didnt have time to react, in and out, military style.

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

Great shot! It's been a while since I've seen a pachinko parlor! Thanks for sharing!

2 Jan 2007 10:21am

@Craiger: Hey Craiger! happy new year mate!

Angry Buddha from United States

Great color in this shot.

2 Jan 2007 2:44pm

@Angry Buddha: Thanks Sean!

Sylvia from Milano, Italy

Oooo...the added danger of you being caught creates more tension! Great shot, the seriousness of his face amongst all the candy-colors. WATCH YOUR BACK MAN!

2 Jan 2007 3:14pm

@Sylvia: Thanks Sylvia, aye there's not much time to frame stuff whilst Im in there as Im dashing about trying to get as much as possible before the bouncers get hold of me...doing alright so far...

Michael Zhang from New York City, United States

So it's indirect gambling. Thank you for bring a part of Japanese culture to us. This is something I never knew about!

2 Jan 2007 6:16pm

@Michael Zhang: Cheers Michael!

Darren from Japan

Nice one mate. Lots of colour and gives everyone a real feel to what Pachinko is.
Btw, Did you win?

2 Jan 2007 10:34pm

@Darren: Hey Darren, Never played it mate. Well I did once, about 7 years ago on my first visit here before settling down, just to see what the fuss was about, and I did indeed win 13,000 yen if memory serves me well. Beginners luck. Called it a day at that point. For these I just ran in, clicked, and got the hell out of dodge...

Kelvin Chan from New York City, United States

you could definitely be a photojournalist, bringing to light what normal people wouldn't do. sort of like the modern japanese jacob riis

2 Jan 2007 11:40pm

@Kelvin Chan: Thanks Kelvin, a bit dangerous the old photo journalism lark though...the mafia are heavily invested in pachinko parlours over here so Im not gonna take too many unneccessary risks...