What Is "Ichiban Kuji"? Japan's Konbini Lottery Culture Explained

Walk past a konbini register in Japan and you'll see posters of characters with letters like A, B, C, "Last One". That's ichiban kuji (一番くじ) — a lottery you play on the spot.

How it works

• Buy a ticket at the register (typically ¥650-750)
• Open it immediately — every ticket wins something
• The letter on the ticket determines the prize rank: A is the top figure, B/C are smaller goods, down to "Last One" (the final ticket in a box guarantees a special prize)

Why collectors love it

Collabs rotate constantly — Sanrio, Pokémon, Jujutsu Kaisen and dozens of anime series. Because prize distribution is fixed per box, dedicated fans track which stores still have "Last One" tickets remaining.

Tips for visitors

• You can't choose your prize — it's pure luck of the draw
• Some stores let you buy multiple tickets at once; unopened ones are still prizes
• Resale marketplaces exist, but buying directly at the register is cheapest