Arcades

Japan is world-renowned for its arcade gaming centers, a subculture that is still very alive and healthy here. Whether you're a video game geek or not, they can be a fun place to hang out and spend some time.

Notable Games

There are far too many games to ever play (or even count) in most good game centers, however these are some of the most popular and/or most amazing games available.

• Purikura

  Purikura needs no introduction. Every arcade has a huge selection of these design-and-draw photo booths. Hours of fun for girls who are probably in your classes. Important note: guys or groups of guys (with no female counterparts) are not allowed to enter the purikura area, this is said to counter groping.

• Taiko no Tatsujin (太鼓の達人)

  The taiko game, with the big drums that you beat. Fun and amazing. Your students will laugh for 3 days if they see you playing it.

• UFO Catchers

  The catcher machines. Every arcade has tons of them. They are also unbelievably difficult, Japanese precision engineering has designed them so that you will fail, and fail many times before experiencing success. A typical sign of Japanese teenage courtship - boy wins girl something kawaii.

Good Arcades

Northern Mie

• Suzuka : Loc Town

  The game center located within Loc Town has one of the area's biggest selections of games, as well as billiard, ping pong, and bowling.

Central Mie

None listed yet.

Eastern Mie

• Ise : Obata Arcade

  Stand-alone building. Across the Miyagawa (Obata-side), immediately across the street from Mie Bowl and next to Hard Off.

Western Mie

None listed yet.

Southern Mie

None listed yet.

Outside Mie

• Osaka : Fuse Sega World

  One of the biggest, best arcades in Japan. Within Fuse Station (Kintetsu, two stations east of Tsuruhashi).